73rd Annual Dinner and Ball - The Kosciuszko Foundation
73rd Annual Dinner and Ball - The Kosciuszko Foundation
73rd Annual Dinner and Ball - The Kosciuszko Foundation
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SUMMER<br />
2008<br />
THE<br />
F<br />
SCIUSZK<br />
UNDATI N<br />
MMER<br />
NEWSLETTER<br />
Volume LVIII, No. 2<br />
ISSN 1081-2776<br />
<strong>73rd</strong> <strong>Annual</strong><br />
<strong>Dinner</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
Inside...<br />
2 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> <strong>Ball</strong><br />
<strong>Ball</strong><br />
11 President’s<br />
Column<br />
12 Kuskowski<br />
Honored<br />
13 Children’s<br />
Programs<br />
14 Frank Piasecki<br />
15 Awards Day<br />
16 <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
Squadron<br />
17 Cultural Events<br />
19 New York Polish<br />
Film Festival<br />
20 Chapter News<br />
28 Calendar of Events<br />
A Cotillion of beautiful young women<br />
dressed in exquisite white gowns <strong>and</strong> the presence<br />
of legends both local <strong>and</strong> international highlighted<br />
another fun-filled evening at the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Dinner</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Ball</strong>, held at its traditional<br />
location in the elegant Gr<strong>and</strong> <strong>Ball</strong>room of the<br />
Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City on Saturday,<br />
April 26, 2008.<br />
For the <strong>73rd</strong> time, <strong>Foundation</strong> Trustees, members,<br />
friends <strong>and</strong> well wishers came together for an evening<br />
of celebration <strong>and</strong> dance. At this year’s <strong>Ball</strong>,<br />
five young women were introduced to society, <strong>and</strong><br />
the <strong>Ball</strong> saluted the long career of 96-year stage,<br />
screen, <strong>and</strong> operetta legend Marta Eggerth, wife<br />
<strong>and</strong> partner of the late Polish tenor Jan Kiepura.<br />
Last but not least, the <strong>Ball</strong> served as a tribute to the<br />
longtime service of <strong>Ball</strong> Chairperson Halina Kalitka<br />
to the causes of Polonia in the New York metropolitan<br />
area.<br />
Each year’s <strong>Ball</strong> is an opportunity for memorable<br />
moments, <strong>and</strong> this year’s <strong>Ball</strong> was no exception.<br />
Ms. Eggerth was presented with the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong>’s Medal of Recognition for her lifelong<br />
achievements in the field of entertainment. In honor<br />
of her 96th birthday just a few days before the <strong>Ball</strong><br />
on April 17th, Chairman of the Board of Trustees<br />
Witold Sulimirski presented Ms. Eggerth with a<br />
birthday cake <strong>and</strong> the guests saluted her with a<br />
chorus of Happy Birthday, <strong>and</strong> the Polish celebratory<br />
song, Sto Lat, (May You Live One Hundred<br />
Years) to which Ms. Eggerth quipped in Polish, “But<br />
I’m already 96! You’re only giving me four more<br />
years?” with a wink <strong>and</strong> a smile.<br />
Yet another senior member of Polonia joined the fun<br />
into the wee hours of the night: Halina Kalitka’s 84<br />
year-old mother, Antonina Mazur, who kept in even<br />
step with her children <strong>and</strong> gr<strong>and</strong>children, not to<br />
mention the several younger couples on the dance<br />
floor.<br />
More <strong>Ball</strong> coverage on the pages that follow!
And <strong>The</strong>y<br />
Whenever we find<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> members, friends <strong>and</strong> supporters near a dance floor, you can<br />
be sure that it won’t stay empty for long! <strong>The</strong> parquet was filled with young <strong>and</strong> old<br />
alike, demonstrating for all there that the <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Dinner</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Ball</strong> is very much a family<br />
event. Not less than three generations ranging from just six months old to 96 were<br />
present on that beautiful spring evening.<br />
Trustee Caroline N. Gundeck with Husb<strong>and</strong> Richard<br />
Gundeck.<br />
Vice Chairman William J. Nareski II with wife Nancy.<br />
Misia Laskowski dancing with Trustee Mark Peszko,<br />
Esq.<br />
Caroline Gundeck with Trustee Edward Mohylowski.<br />
2 THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION<br />
Last year’s <strong>Ball</strong> Co-Chairs Nina <strong>and</strong> Dr. Andrew<br />
Boral.<br />
Last year’s debutante Marissa Goba, with her uncle,<br />
Vice Chairman William J. Nareski II.
Danced...<br />
Samantha Polewac <strong>and</strong><br />
friend.<br />
Mrs. Camille Raia, with<br />
guest R<strong>and</strong>y Schrade.<br />
Ms. Jessie Adamiak dancing<br />
with her gr<strong>and</strong>father,<br />
Mr. Frank Adamiak.<br />
James Allen with son (<strong>and</strong> Halina<br />
Kalitka gr<strong>and</strong>son) Peter Allen.<br />
Bonnie <strong>and</strong> Michael Berkowicz .<br />
Music for the evening provided by the<br />
Hank Lane Revue<br />
Jan Myszkowski <strong>and</strong> Albina Jodlowska.<br />
Trustee Marian Kornilowicz with wife<br />
Teresa Paris.<br />
Kazimiera Klimczak with Richard Szypula, Esq. Consul Dr. Ewa Ger with Mr. Jacek Tatarynowicz. Ms. Bozena Kuczynska <strong>and</strong> Mr. Leonard Levie.<br />
3
And <strong>The</strong>y Celebrated...<br />
<strong>The</strong> Pre-<strong>Ball</strong> Reception at the renowned <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> House on 15 East 65th Street in New York City on the<br />
Friday before the <strong>Ball</strong> is an opportunity for Trustees, honored guests,<br />
debutantes <strong>and</strong> their families to mingle <strong>and</strong> prepare for “<strong>The</strong> Big Night”.<br />
Teresa Sulimirski Richard Mazur, Witold Sulimirski,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Debutante Laura Dabrowski.<br />
Left: Joseph E. Gore,<br />
Esq., President <strong>and</strong><br />
Executive Director<br />
(center), with 2008<br />
Debutante Patroness<br />
Dawn Polewac (l.) <strong>and</strong><br />
2008 <strong>Ball</strong> Chairperson<br />
Halina Kalitka (r.) at the<br />
Pre-<strong>Ball</strong> reception.<br />
(l. to r.) Joseph E. Gore, Esq., Trustee Mark Peszko,<br />
Esq., David Schopp, Lisa Peszko, <strong>and</strong> Mary Schopp.<br />
And then, the<br />
Big Night!<br />
In addition to the presentation<br />
of debutantes <strong>and</strong> homage to the guests of<br />
honor, the <strong>Ball</strong> is an opportunity for families to<br />
get together <strong>and</strong> celebrate their Polish heritage,<br />
have their pictures taken, <strong>and</strong> engage in not a<br />
little bit of revelry, in the elegant surroundings<br />
offered by the Waldorf=Astoria’s Gr<strong>and</strong> <strong>Ball</strong>room<br />
Witold Sulimirski, Chairman of the Board of Trustees<br />
(l.) <strong>and</strong> Joseph E. Gore, Esq. (r.) with this year’s<br />
Debutantes.<br />
Vice Chairman William Nareski II (far right), with<br />
wife Nancy, far left, <strong>and</strong> their guests, clearly enjoying<br />
the evening’s festivities.<br />
Just a few of the many children at this year’s ball<br />
strike a pose for the camera.<br />
4 THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION<br />
(l. to r.) Longtime <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> supporters<br />
Mildred Tyszka, <strong>Foundation</strong> Corporate Secretary<br />
Helen Mary Tyszka, <strong>and</strong> Pro Arte League President<br />
Eugenia Gore.<br />
Trustee Ed Mohylowski (c.), with cousin Nettie<br />
Jensen, (l.) <strong>and</strong> sister Mary Anne Lagana (r.)
Eugenia Gore,<br />
Joseph E. Gore,<br />
Esq., with<br />
daughter Regina<br />
Cavaliere, Esq.<br />
Vice Chairperson W<strong>and</strong>a Senko, <strong>and</strong> her daughter,<br />
Trustee Cynthia Rosicki, Esq.<br />
Anna Utecht, Eugenia Gore, <strong>and</strong> Ela Ingarden<br />
Northeast Ohio Chapter President Mary Kay Pieski,<br />
with daughter 2006 Debutante Maris Alyse Pieski<br />
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Witold Sulimirski <strong>and</strong> wife Teresa had<br />
the honor of hosting Mme Marta Eggerth at their table. St<strong>and</strong>ing, l to<br />
r: Ms. Jadwiga Towpik, Ambassador Andrzej Towpik, Teresa Sulimirski,<br />
Witold Sulimirski, Consul Dr. Ewa Ger, Mr. Jacek Tatarynowicz. Seated, l<br />
to r: Jane Knox Kiepura, Marian Kiepura, Madame Marta Eggerth, Ms.<br />
Mary Kabebo, Ms. Deborah Kinzler<br />
<strong>The</strong> Polish American FolkDance Company<br />
provided a rousing evening of dance<br />
<strong>and</strong> song entertainment, featuring<br />
an entire set of Polish Highl<strong>and</strong>er<br />
song <strong>and</strong> dance in traditional highl<strong>and</strong>er<br />
costume. <strong>The</strong> Highl<strong>and</strong>ers, or<br />
góraly as they are known in Polish,<br />
represent one of the more colorful<br />
<strong>and</strong> unique regional cultures<br />
in Pol<strong>and</strong>. <strong>The</strong> Highl<strong>and</strong>er theme<br />
honored Karol Szymanowski’s body<br />
of work. <strong>The</strong> great composer was honored last year by the Republic of<br />
Pol<strong>and</strong>, which declared it “the Year of Szymanowski” in recognition of<br />
the 80th anniversary of his death.<br />
5
Marta Eggerth<br />
is truly one of the last survivors<br />
of what is referred<br />
to as “<strong>The</strong> Silver Age of Operetta.” Many of the 20th century’s<br />
most famous operetta composers, including Franz Lehár, Fritz<br />
Kreisler, Robert Stolz, Oscar Straus, <strong>and</strong> Paul Abraham, composed<br />
works especially for her. After a celebrated stage <strong>and</strong> film<br />
career, Marta Eggerth remains active, singing right up until today<br />
at the age of 96, with more than 80 years on stage. Combining<br />
the old with the new, encompassing stage, screen, recordings,<br />
radio, <strong>and</strong> television — Mme Eggerth’s career brings a wealth of<br />
knowledge <strong>and</strong> artistry to her audiences <strong>and</strong> is an inspiration to<br />
young singers. Marta Eggerth sums up the cultural richness of an<br />
era past, while still being a vital<br />
<strong>and</strong> compelling performer in the<br />
21st century.<br />
Born in Budapest on April 17,<br />
1912, she began singing as<br />
a child, making her theatrical<br />
debut in the operetta Mannequins<br />
at the age 11. She sang<br />
the most dem<strong>and</strong>ing coloratura<br />
repertoire by composers<br />
including Rossini, Meyerbeer,<br />
Offenbach, <strong>and</strong> Johann Strauss<br />
II, performing the role of Adele<br />
in Max Reinhardt’s famous 1929<br />
Hamburg production of Die<br />
Fledermaus at the age of 17,<br />
perhaps the youngest singer<br />
ever to undertake the part.<br />
During the early 1930s, Marta Eggerth was discovered by the film<br />
industry, <strong>and</strong> her career took off resulting in international fame.<br />
She made more than forty films in four languages — English, German,<br />
French <strong>and</strong> Italian. A contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer in<br />
Hollywood led to two movies with Judy Garl<strong>and</strong> — For Me <strong>and</strong> My<br />
Gal in 1942 (also Gene Kelly’s first major film role) <strong>and</strong> Presenting<br />
Lily Mars in 1943.<br />
Witold Sulimirski presenting Mme Marta Eggerth with the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
Medal of Recognition.<br />
It was on the set of the 1934 film Mein Herz ruft nach dir (My<br />
Heart is Calling You) that she met <strong>and</strong> fell in love with the dashing<br />
young Polish tenor, Jan Kiepura. <strong>The</strong>y were married in 1936<br />
<strong>and</strong> together became known as Europe’s Liebespaar (Love Pair)<br />
And they H<br />
Mme Marta Eggerth in the 1930s (photo courtesy of Mme Eggerth)<br />
causing a sensation <strong>and</strong> thrilling audiences wherever they appeared.<br />
As a singing team they were perfectly matched, performing<br />
together on the operatic stage to rave reviews. In 1943, they<br />
starred together on Broadway in a production of Lehár’s <strong>The</strong><br />
Merry Widow, with Robert Stolz conducting <strong>and</strong> George Balanchine<br />
as choreographer, a work they would eventually perform<br />
more than 2,000<br />
times, in five languages<br />
throughout<br />
America <strong>and</strong><br />
Europe. Marta<br />
Eggerth would<br />
become perhaps<br />
the most famous<br />
“Widow” of all<br />
time.<br />
Throughout her<br />
career, Marta Eggerth<br />
has maintained<br />
an active<br />
recital schedule<br />
throughout<br />
Europe, Canada,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the United<br />
States, combining<br />
Mme Eggerth entertained the guests at the <strong>Ball</strong> with<br />
anecdotes from her long career <strong>and</strong> a few bars of song.<br />
her extensive repertoire of lieder, opera, film songs, <strong>and</strong> especially<br />
Viennese operetta. However, Jan Kiepura’s premature death<br />
in 1966 caused Marta Eggerth to stop singing for several years.<br />
She revived her career in the 1970’s <strong>and</strong> began to make regular<br />
television appearances <strong>and</strong> perform concerts in Europe <strong>and</strong> in the<br />
United States.<br />
In recent years, Marta Eggerth has been awarded many major<br />
artistic decorations from Austria, Germany, Pol<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> Italy in<br />
recognition of her accomplishments in operetta, theatre <strong>and</strong> film.<br />
She received the Knight’s Cross of the Order of the Merit of the<br />
Republic of Hungary, her native l<strong>and</strong>’s highest honor, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Erwin Piscator Life Achievement Award for her legendary achievements<br />
as a star of operetta, opera, stage <strong>and</strong> film <strong>and</strong> for the<br />
inspiration <strong>and</strong> wisdom that she continues to share with others.<br />
6<br />
THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION
onored...<br />
Halina Kalitka<br />
Chairman of the <strong>73rd</strong> <strong>Annual</strong><br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
<strong>Dinner</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Ball</strong> is a faithful friend <strong>and</strong> a familiar face throughout<br />
Polonia. Halina is active throughout the Polish American<br />
community <strong>and</strong> holds dear to her heart anything that promotes<br />
Polish heritage <strong>and</strong> culture, especially through music.<br />
Halina began her musical studies at the early age of seven,<br />
progressing though the years to piano accompanist <strong>and</strong> organist.<br />
Her main affiliation is with St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Greenpoint<br />
as organist <strong>and</strong> soprano soloist. She has accompanied<br />
many Polish American choral groups <strong>and</strong> various Polish American<br />
folk dance groups including the Matusz Polish Dance Circle <strong>and</strong><br />
the Polish American Folk Dance Company, appearing with them at<br />
Halina Kalitka, at right, with her 84 year-old mother, Antonina, enjoying the festivities on the<br />
dance floor.<br />
Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Debutante<br />
<strong>Ball</strong>s <strong>and</strong> various other places along the East coast, from Buffalo<br />
to Miami. Halina is also involved with the children’s Polish folk<br />
dance group, “Krakowianki <strong>and</strong> Gorale” of St. Stanislaus Kostka<br />
Parish, where she teaches singing, accompanies the dancing<br />
<strong>and</strong> helps prepare the annual Christmas <strong>and</strong> Spring shows. She<br />
has also worked with the Polish Supplementary Schools (Maria<br />
Konopnicka in Greenpoint <strong>and</strong> Rada Oswiatowa in Manhattan)<br />
teaching Polish folk <strong>and</strong> patriotic songs to children.<br />
Halina was<br />
named Citizen<br />
of the Year in<br />
1983 by the<br />
“Polish American<br />
World” <strong>and</strong> led<br />
St. Stanislaus<br />
Kostka Parish of<br />
Greenpoint as<br />
their marshal in<br />
the 1984 Pulaski<br />
Day Parade.<br />
Her connection<br />
with the Polish<br />
Chairman of the Board of Trustees,<br />
Witold Sulimirski (left), <strong>and</strong> President<br />
<strong>and</strong> Executive Director Joseph E. Gore,<br />
Esq. (above) presided over the evening’s<br />
ceremonies.<br />
Three generations of Halina Kalitka’s family attended<br />
the <strong>Ball</strong>.<br />
Singers Alliance goes back may years. Halina was piano soloist<br />
<strong>and</strong> accompanist at their national convention in New York City in<br />
1964 under the baton of Professor Antoni Kazmierczak. She accompanied<br />
the Oginski Choir at various concerts <strong>and</strong> participated<br />
as accompanist <strong>and</strong> soprano soloist at the Christmas Concerts<br />
that the “Hejnal” choir sponsored under the direction of Janusz<br />
Sporek.<br />
In April of 2000, Halina played the organ accompaniment<br />
for the combined choruses of the Polish Singers Alliance<br />
at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City at the special<br />
Mass celebrating the 80th birthday of Pope John Paul II.<br />
That year she was also honored by the Pulaski Business<br />
<strong>and</strong> Professional Men as one of the “Women of the Millennium”.<br />
In January of 2001, she was soprano soloist at<br />
a concert of Polish Contemporary Music at Avery Fisher<br />
Hall in Lincoln Center.<br />
Halina is also well known for her rendition of the Polish<br />
<strong>and</strong> American anthems at many Polish American functions<br />
<strong>and</strong>, most recently, for Controller William Thompson’s Polish<br />
Heritage Celebration at City Hall <strong>and</strong> the opening of<br />
the Pulaski Day parade on Fifth Avenue. In October 2007<br />
she was honored by the Brooklyn Borough President<br />
Marty Markowitz during Polish Heritage month.<br />
Presently Halina is employed by the Polish National Alliance<br />
of the United States of North America, the largest<br />
Polish fraternal benefit society that serves 38 states<br />
through its benevolence <strong>and</strong> volunteerism.<br />
She is also the proud mother of three children, Robert,<br />
Roxanne, a former <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> debutante, <strong>and</strong> Adrian,<br />
<strong>and</strong> gr<strong>and</strong>mother of Taylor <strong>and</strong> Peter.<br />
7
And <strong>The</strong>y Beamed...<br />
2008 Debutante<br />
Patroness<br />
Dawn Polewac’s<br />
fifteen years of service as the Chairperson<br />
of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Debutante<br />
Council has focused on encouraging <strong>and</strong><br />
empowering young women to add value to<br />
their social position by becoming a <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> Debutante.<br />
Within this realm of exclusivity, Dawn has<br />
designed <strong>and</strong> personalized La Gr<strong>and</strong>e<br />
Luncheon <strong>and</strong> the Debutante Cotillion, as<br />
an experience of prominence <strong>and</strong> importance.<br />
Today, as in the past, the culture of the <strong>Foundation</strong> has<br />
been an important part of Dawn <strong>and</strong> her family’s social life. Dawn<br />
continues to serve as member of the National<br />
Advisory Council, <strong>and</strong> in the early life of the<br />
Pro Arte League served as secretary <strong>and</strong><br />
participated in a significant number of Pro<br />
Arte League functions (fashion shows, book<br />
signings, <strong>and</strong> concerts).<br />
Dawn’s family<br />
role in the<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong><br />
has spanned<br />
four generations.<br />
Her<br />
gr<strong>and</strong>parents,<br />
in various<br />
thoughtful<br />
gestures<br />
donated services<br />
through<br />
their New<br />
York printing<br />
firm, the<br />
former Polish<br />
American<br />
Press, at the<br />
very beginnings<br />
of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>. In the<br />
following decades her gr<strong>and</strong>mother, mother,<br />
sister, brother as well as Dawn’s daughters became<br />
part of the <strong>Foundation</strong> culture. Presently<br />
From left to right: 2008 Debutante<br />
Patroness Dawn Polewac, Lindsey<br />
Kathleen Kopacz, Laura Anne<br />
Dabrowski, Katherine J. Gundeck,<br />
Kimberly Ann Sanguinedo, Paige<br />
Marie Carina Raia, <strong>and</strong> 2008 <strong>Ball</strong><br />
Chairperson Halina Kalitka.<br />
her mother W<strong>and</strong>a Senko serves<br />
as a Vice Chairman <strong>and</strong> her sister,<br />
Cynthia Rosicki, Esq., serves as<br />
Trustee. Her daughter Samantha<br />
was presented to society at the<br />
68th <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
<strong>Ball</strong> in 2003, <strong>and</strong> her daughter<br />
Natasha is planning her debut in<br />
the very near future.<br />
With degrees in Accounting, Hospital Administration <strong>and</strong> Paralegal<br />
Studies from Hofstra University, St. Joseph’s College <strong>and</strong> Adelphi<br />
University, Dawn has continued to optimize her passion for community<br />
service by investing her time <strong>and</strong> support in the Polish Gift<br />
of Life, Polish Children’s Heartline, <strong>The</strong> Polish Club at Hofstra University,<br />
4-H Clubs, Cerebral Palsy of Nassau<br />
County, <strong>The</strong> Heart Fund, Reach to Recovery<br />
<strong>and</strong>, more recently, spearheading the Steering<br />
Committee for the Rosicki, Rosicki & Associates<br />
4th <strong>Annual</strong> Gala in Support of Hunter’s<br />
Hope<br />
<strong>Foundation</strong>.<br />
Dawn<br />
continues<br />
to demonstrate<br />
her<br />
leadership<br />
qualities as<br />
Business<br />
Manager<br />
of Rosicki,<br />
Rosicki & Associates,<br />
capably<br />
managing<br />
the law firm’s<br />
partnerships<br />
<strong>and</strong> staff.<br />
Dawn was<br />
presented as<br />
Patroness by<br />
her father,<br />
Chairman of the Nassau County Civil Service<br />
Commission, the Honorable John Senko.<br />
8 THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION
<strong>The</strong> 2008 Debutantes<br />
Miss Laura Anne Dabrowski, of<br />
Huntington, New York is the daughter<br />
of Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Thomas <strong>and</strong> Florence<br />
Dabrowski. She is a senior at Huntington<br />
High School, where she has<br />
been on the Principal’s List for academic<br />
excellence <strong>and</strong> is the recipient<br />
of many awards <strong>and</strong> recognitions,<br />
including awards in science, social<br />
studies, <strong>and</strong> mathematics. For three<br />
years she placed first in the school’s<br />
National History Day competition.<br />
She is a member of many school<br />
clubs <strong>and</strong> activities, including Habitat for Humanity, Model U.N.<br />
the National Honor Society, Student Government, orchestra,<br />
JV Field Hockey <strong>and</strong> Softball, to name just a few. Laura has<br />
studied dance for many years at Posey’s School of Dance <strong>and</strong><br />
has been a member of the Children’s Dance Company <strong>and</strong><br />
the Posey Repertory Company. Currently, Laura is a member<br />
of the Polish American Folk Dance Company. Laura is busy<br />
with numerous volunteer activities, including working with the<br />
Huntington Historical Society, the dance companies as well as<br />
Project Nicaragua <strong>and</strong> Habitat for Humanity. Laura’s mother<br />
<strong>and</strong> father are former members of the Matusz Polish Dance<br />
Circle <strong>and</strong> are active in many Polonian organizations, including<br />
the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Polish National Alliance.<br />
Miss Katherine J. Gundeck, of<br />
Ridgewood, New Jersey, is the<br />
daughter of <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
trustee Caroline Nyklewicz Gundeck<br />
<strong>and</strong> Mr. Richard Gundeck. Katie is a<br />
student at Rollins College in Winter<br />
Park, Florida in preparation for a<br />
career in international business relations.<br />
She is a member of the Young<br />
Republicans Club <strong>and</strong> a volunteer<br />
at the Christina Health Care Center.<br />
She serves as public relations<br />
manager for the Tennis 4 Fun Club.<br />
Katie’s mother, Caroline, was elected to the Board of Trustees<br />
of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> last November. She is National<br />
Sales head of Business Development, Global Wealth Management<br />
Group at Morgan Stanley. Her family has a long association<br />
with the <strong>Foundation</strong> <strong>and</strong> her gr<strong>and</strong>mother Teresa Sondej<br />
Nyklewicz was a debutante at an earlier <strong>Ball</strong>. Katie’s maternal<br />
gr<strong>and</strong>father, Edwin J. Nyklewicz, was the first Polish American<br />
judge appointed to the Superior Court of the State of New<br />
Jersey. Katie’s father, Richard, is a Senior Executive at Merrill<br />
Lynch <strong>and</strong> is an avid exotic animal collector.<br />
Miss Lindsey Kathleen Kopacz, is<br />
the daughter of Mr. Robert Kopacz of<br />
Summit, New Jersey <strong>and</strong> Ms. Kathi<br />
Leuther Kopacz of Frederick, Maryl<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Lindsey is a student at the University<br />
of Maryl<strong>and</strong> in College Park,<br />
preparing for a career in journalism or<br />
public relations. Lindsey’s volunteer<br />
activities have included volunteering<br />
at the local hospital, in her school’s<br />
color guard team which competed<br />
regionally. In 2003 <strong>and</strong> 2004 she<br />
participated, through her church, in a<br />
project called Group Workcamp which helped families in need<br />
with home repairs. Next year at college she will serve as a<br />
Resident Assistant. Lindsey’s father, Robert, is the Director of<br />
Communications at the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>. Her mother,<br />
Kathi, is a licensed social worker in the District of Columbia<br />
<strong>and</strong> in Maryl<strong>and</strong>. Her paternal gr<strong>and</strong>parents, Eugene <strong>and</strong><br />
Anna Kopacz have a long association with the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong>.<br />
Miss Paige Marie Carina Raia, is<br />
the daughter of Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Raymond<br />
<strong>and</strong> Camille Raia of Merrick,<br />
New York <strong>and</strong> Fort Lauderdale,<br />
Florida. Paige Marie is a junior at<br />
the Sanford H. Calhoun High School<br />
where she is on the Honor Roll.<br />
Paige Marie has been a member of<br />
the New York State Student Music<br />
Association for the past six years,<br />
achieving the Superior rating in voice.<br />
She is a member of the performance<br />
show choir Crescendo of the Bellmore-Merrick<br />
School District <strong>and</strong> she has performed at Epcot,<br />
Walt Disney World <strong>and</strong> Busch Gardens. At school, Paige Marie<br />
is a member of the High School Key Club, the Girls’ Varsity<br />
Softball team <strong>and</strong> is the VP of Public Relations of the school’s<br />
history-based Yorker Club. She is active in many community<br />
service activities. She is Senior Alter Server at Cure’ of Ars<br />
Parish in Merrick, volunteers at the local Bide-a-Wee animal<br />
shelter on Long Isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> has been a member of the Polish<br />
Children’s Heartline form many years. Paige Marie is a<br />
member of the Girl Scouts of America where she is the proud<br />
recipient of the Girl Scout Bronze Award, currently working<br />
toward her Gold Award. She is a former VP of Programming<br />
for Venture Crew Troop #577, a group pf scouts who embark<br />
on outdoor travels to many National Parks <strong>and</strong> historical sites<br />
in the U.S. Paige Marie’s parents own Real Estate Property<br />
Management Corporations. Paige Marie is very proud of her<br />
Slavic heritage.<br />
Miss Kimberly Ann Sanguinedo,<br />
is the daughter of Mrs. Dorothy<br />
Sanguinedo <strong>and</strong> the late Mr. Frank<br />
Sanguinedo of Staten Isl<strong>and</strong>, New<br />
York. She is the niece of Mr. Walter<br />
Stojanowski, also of Staten Isl<strong>and</strong>,<br />
who presented her at the <strong>Ball</strong>. Kimberly<br />
is a student at St. Joseph’s By<br />
the Sea High School <strong>and</strong> in college<br />
hopes to pursue studies in the field<br />
of medicine or veterinary medicine.<br />
Kimberly is involved in a number of<br />
organizations <strong>and</strong> extracurricular<br />
activities, including Project Hospitality, the Surf Club, Ladies of<br />
Charity, the Stitchery Club, <strong>and</strong> <strong>The</strong>rapy Dog International for<br />
which she does training. She is a cheerleader for the football<br />
team. Kimberly enjoys crocheting, reading, boating <strong>and</strong> skiing.<br />
With her family, Kimberly has participated in a number of Polish<br />
cultural events, including the Pulaski Day Parade.<br />
9
With our Thanks...<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> would like to thank all those corporate <strong>and</strong> table sponsors<br />
who helped make this year’s <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Dinner</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Ball</strong> the exquisite night of merriment <strong>and</strong><br />
pagentry<br />
TABLE HOSTS<br />
Sponsoring a Table of 10 or More Guests<br />
DONORS<br />
Contributing $1,000 or more<br />
Dr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Andrew <strong>and</strong><br />
Janina Boral<br />
Bruno/Moores Family <strong>and</strong><br />
Guests<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Thomas <strong>and</strong><br />
Florence Dabrowski (2 tables)<br />
Honoring Laura Anne Dabrowski,<br />
Debutante<br />
Mrs. Sophie Gajewski<br />
Atty. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Joseph E. <strong>and</strong><br />
Eugenia Gore<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Richard <strong>and</strong><br />
Caroline Gundeck (3 tables)<br />
Honoring Katherine J. Gundeck,<br />
Debutante<br />
Home of the Alliance, Inc. (2<br />
tables) Honoring Ms. Halina<br />
Kalitka, <strong>Ball</strong> Chairperson<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Martin <strong>and</strong><br />
Monika Olszer Jasinski<br />
Mrs. Kazimiera Klimczak<br />
Mr. Robert Kopacz Honoring<br />
Lindsey Kopacz, Debutante<br />
Marian Kornilowicz, Esq.<br />
Mr. Peter Makula, Trade Wall<br />
Street<br />
Marie Sklodowska-Curie<br />
Professional Women’s Association,<br />
Inc.<br />
Mr. Edward T. Mohylowski<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. William J. <strong>and</strong><br />
Nancy Nareski II<br />
Mark Peszko, Esq.<br />
Ms. Dawn Polewac (2 tables)<br />
2008 Debutante Patroness<br />
Polish <strong>and</strong> Slavic Federal<br />
Credit Union (2 tables)<br />
Polish American Teachers<br />
Association<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Raymond <strong>and</strong><br />
Camille Raia, Honoring Paige<br />
Marie Carina Raia, Debutante<br />
Rosicki, Rosicki & Associates<br />
Cynthia & Thomas<br />
Rosicki, Esqs. (3 tables)<br />
Comm. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. John <strong>and</strong><br />
W<strong>and</strong>a Senko<br />
Mr. Walter Stojanowski (2<br />
tables) Honoring Kimberly Ann<br />
Sanguinedo, Debutante<br />
Adrianna Wos-Mysliwiec,<br />
Esq. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Olenka Wos<br />
Kimball<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Walter <strong>and</strong> Teresa<br />
Wroblewski (2 tables)<br />
Mr. Jack Radgowski<br />
Atty. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Joseph E. Gore<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. William J. Nareski II<br />
Miss Helen Mary M. Tyszka<br />
Mrs. Mildred H. Tyszka<br />
Atty. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Henry C. Walentowicz,<br />
Esq.<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Edward Zembruski<br />
Mr. Andre Zlotnicki<br />
Stanislaw A. Milewski, M.D.<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Witold S. Sulimirski<br />
Mr. Philip W. Cadieux, in Support<br />
of the evening’s floral decorations<br />
Mr. Len Wynbeek, Jr., Action<br />
Graphics, Inc., for underwriting<br />
the printing of the <strong>73rd</strong> <strong>Ball</strong> “Save<br />
the Date” cards<br />
10<br />
THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION
From the President <strong>and</strong> Executive Director<br />
Joseph E. Gore, Esq.<br />
A Peek<br />
at the Future<br />
<strong>The</strong> season has finally come to an<br />
end. With the <strong>73rd</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Dinner</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Ball</strong> now behind us, <strong>and</strong> such<br />
glorious events as the Chamber<br />
Music Series having performed its<br />
last concert of the season, it is time<br />
to look to the future <strong>and</strong> see what<br />
that future will bring.<br />
In the 1960s scientists studied the small<br />
Italian American community of Roseto,<br />
Pennsylvania, to determine why certain<br />
age groups in that community defied certain<br />
U.S. health statistics. Heart disease,<br />
stroke, diabetes <strong>and</strong> other debilitating diseases<br />
which our society faced then were<br />
practically nonexistent in Roseto. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
found that their sense of community above<br />
all other factors was an important determinant<br />
in not only maintaining psychological<br />
well being, but also physical well being.<br />
<strong>The</strong> story of Roseto only underscores the<br />
importance of a sense of belonging to<br />
a community in every aspect of our well<br />
being.<br />
Our Vice-Chairman Professor Ted Gromada<br />
wrote in a recent newsletter about<br />
how Polish Americans no longer live in<br />
closely knit neighborhoods. As Professor<br />
Gromada rightly noted, the importance of<br />
organizations like the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
in maintaining a sense of community<br />
has become vital to maintaining a sense of<br />
cultural identity. But the question becomes,<br />
with that geographical dispersion, how<br />
can the <strong>Foundation</strong> maintain that sense of<br />
community amongst friends <strong>and</strong> members?<br />
On the backdrop of the reality of that<br />
challenge, we are presented with a gift of<br />
br<strong>and</strong> new technologies that revolutionize<br />
the way we can reach out <strong>and</strong> unify our<br />
broader community of Polish Americans.<br />
Although the internet has been practically<br />
available to the average consumer for over<br />
ten years now, new audio, video, <strong>and</strong> “interactive”<br />
technologies allow us not only to<br />
reach out to the community of <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> friends, members <strong>and</strong> supporters,<br />
but also for them to respond back.<br />
Let me give you a taste of what the future<br />
has in store for us.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Future. <strong>The</strong> rapid advances of media<br />
technologies since the Millennium have<br />
revolutionized the ways one can listen<br />
to music, watch a movie, or even read a<br />
magazine. Mobile “smart” phones, free<br />
high speed wireless internet access, digital<br />
music <strong>and</strong> streaming video now dominate<br />
our times, giving the general public many<br />
more ways of reading the news, listening<br />
to music or an audio program, or watching<br />
a video.<br />
Not only are these technologies more<br />
available to the listening, reading, <strong>and</strong><br />
viewing public, but the cost of producing<br />
<strong>and</strong> distributing the media programs has<br />
itself dropped drastically, permitting us to<br />
use these technologies to communicate<br />
our message to our audience in new<br />
formats.<br />
Starting in 2008, the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
will begin introducing new ways to<br />
communicate with its membership as well<br />
as the public at large.<br />
Blogs. In the Spring of 2008, the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> launched a blog. <strong>The</strong><br />
media attention given to blogs <strong>and</strong> blogging<br />
has generated many misconceptions<br />
about them. A blog is nothing more than<br />
a page on a website, the content of which<br />
can be easily modified by its owner. With<br />
a st<strong>and</strong>ard website, one has to either use<br />
special software or otherwise be familiar<br />
with the programming language in which<br />
the website page is written. Most organizations<br />
rely on a specialist to do it for them.<br />
But with blog technology, adding text,<br />
pictures, or even videos to a website is as<br />
easy as writing an email.<br />
In addition to the traditional printed newsletters,<br />
the KF E-news, <strong>and</strong> other traditional<br />
mailings that you may receive from<br />
time to time as a <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
member, news <strong>and</strong> information on <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
news <strong>and</strong> events will also be posted<br />
on the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> blog.<br />
Podcasting. <strong>The</strong>se days, recording <strong>and</strong><br />
editing audio in digital format is easy.<br />
Easier still are the many ways to share<br />
that audio recording. <strong>The</strong> invention of<br />
the highly compact digital MP3 format for<br />
audio recordings has revolutionized the<br />
ability to record <strong>and</strong> share anything from a<br />
symphony orchestra concert to an interview<br />
produced in a radio-type format. What<br />
has become the bane of the music industry<br />
has become a boom for organizations like<br />
the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>, which can<br />
now utilize this technology to exp<strong>and</strong> ways<br />
to reach its audience. In the future watch<br />
for informative audio programs on Polish<br />
culture which can be listened to on the<br />
website, or downloaded for listening on a<br />
portable “MP3 player” while commuting to<br />
<strong>and</strong> from work.<br />
Digital Video. As with digital audio, digital<br />
video has also undergone something of a<br />
revolution in the past five years. Although<br />
a bit more involved than digital audio, innovations<br />
in technology have driven the price<br />
of both video production <strong>and</strong> distribution<br />
down dramatically. Now, organizations like<br />
the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> can produce<br />
<strong>and</strong> distribute documentary films on Polish<br />
culture. Starting in 2008, our friends <strong>and</strong><br />
members will be able to watch <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong>-produced videos, either at<br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> gatherings, on the internet as<br />
a streaming video, or by downloading it to<br />
their own personal mobile device.<br />
Social Media. Many have heard of<br />
Facebook <strong>and</strong> MySpace, referred to in<br />
news reports as “social media”, where<br />
young people can essentially open their<br />
own mini-websites <strong>and</strong> establish a list of<br />
topics which interest them. <strong>The</strong>y can then<br />
develop lists of “online friends” with similar<br />
interests.<br />
Similar social media websites exist for<br />
professional people. <strong>The</strong> LinkedIn website<br />
www.linkedin.com, allows business<br />
people, professionals, <strong>and</strong> academics, to<br />
establish their own sites with their resumes<br />
<strong>and</strong> interests, search for friends <strong>and</strong> other<br />
professionals with similar interests, <strong>and</strong><br />
network with them. One feature offered by<br />
LinkedIn is LinkedIn Groups, an ability of<br />
an organization to create a space just for<br />
members of that organization.<br />
Starting in 2008, the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
will establish a LinkedIn Group for<br />
recipients of <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> scholarships,<br />
grants <strong>and</strong> fellowships, <strong>and</strong> another<br />
such group for <strong>Foundation</strong> members,<br />
creating an interesting new incentive to<br />
membership in the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>.<br />
We look forward to the rich <strong>and</strong> exciting<br />
new way to share the world of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> with our members,<br />
friends <strong>and</strong> supporters. Have a wonderful<br />
summer, <strong>and</strong> we look forward to seeing<br />
you at the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> House<br />
in New York, at a local chapter event, or<br />
“online” soon!<br />
11
Board of Trustees<br />
Elects New Trustees<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Board of Trustees voted three new<br />
members into its ranks at the semi annual meeting on November<br />
16, 2008, <strong>and</strong> a fourth new member at its April 25, 2008 semiannual<br />
meeting.<br />
Ronald J. Hagadus, M.D. is the attending<br />
Ophthalmolgist-Glaucoma at the New York<br />
Eye & Ear Infirmary <strong>and</strong> at the Westchester<br />
Medical Center. He is an Associate Professor<br />
of Clinical Ophtalmoloy, New York<br />
Medical College. He has Board Certification<br />
from the American Board of Ophthalmology.<br />
Dr. Hagadus is the recipient of the “President’s<br />
Award for Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Teaching <strong>and</strong><br />
Dedicated Service” from the New York Eye<br />
& Ear Infirmary. Also, he has Honorary<br />
Membership in <strong>The</strong> Society of Ophthalmology<br />
of Pol<strong>and</strong> Gdansk for outst<strong>and</strong>ing contributions to the<br />
Advancement of Polish Children with Glaucoma. Dr. Hagadus <strong>and</strong><br />
his wife Trustee Emeritus, Maria J. Hagadus donated $100,000<br />
to the <strong>Foundation</strong> to establish the “Dr. James Hagadus Memorial<br />
Cultural Endowment Fund” in memory of their son. Dr. Hagadus<br />
has Board Certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology.<br />
He resides with his wife, Maria, an artist, in Bedford Hills,<br />
New York.<br />
Caroline Nyklewicz-Gundeck is the<br />
Diversity Officer for the Global Wealth<br />
Management Group of Morgan Stanley.<br />
Ms. Gundeck heads the Office of Diversity<br />
that focuses on continuing <strong>and</strong> advancing<br />
diversity efforts throughout the business.<br />
Previously Ms. Gundeck was a Financial<br />
Advisor for 20 years with Merrill Lynch<br />
earning the title of First Vice President-<br />
Investments. While at Merrill Lynch she<br />
was Director of Women’s Marketing <strong>and</strong><br />
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender Marketing<br />
for Merrill Lynch, Global Private Client. During her career<br />
as a Financial Advisor, Ms. Gundeck managed in excess of $2<br />
billion dollars in assets annually. She is a member of a number<br />
of professional groups including the Advisory Board, Women’s<br />
Leadership Exchange. Her philanthropic associations include<br />
being Director, Save Ellis Isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> <strong>and</strong> served on the<br />
Board of Trustees of the YWCA of Bergen County. She received<br />
her Bachelor of Science in Economics from Marymount College<br />
in Tarrytown, New York. She has her Series 7 <strong>and</strong> 63 securities<br />
licenses as well as her Life Insurance License in the states of<br />
New Jersey <strong>and</strong> Florida. She was born <strong>and</strong> raised in Paterson,<br />
New Jersey <strong>and</strong> now resides in Ridgewood, New Jersey with her<br />
husb<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> four children. She raises llamas <strong>and</strong> Tibetan yaks in<br />
Upstate New York.<br />
Marian A. Kornilowicz is a partner of<br />
Cohen, Seglia, Pallas, Greenhall & Furman,<br />
P.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.<br />
He is the Chair of the Firm’s Business<br />
Practice Group. Mr. Kornilowicz received<br />
his J.D. degree from the Suffolk University<br />
Law School <strong>and</strong> his LL.M. degree from the<br />
University of Pennsylvania Law School.<br />
In addition, he has a B.S. in Engineering<br />
Science <strong>and</strong> a B.S. in Political Science<br />
<strong>and</strong> History from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 1974 he<br />
received a <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Scholarship to do course work<br />
at the Jagiellonian University in political science, philosophy <strong>and</strong><br />
Polish <strong>and</strong> Russian languages. He is the Chair of the Board of Directors<br />
of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia which<br />
is involved in the preservation <strong>and</strong> appreciation of Philadelphia’s<br />
architectural heritage <strong>and</strong> historic fabric. Mr. Kornilowicz is the<br />
Vice-President <strong>and</strong> Director of the Jagiellonian Law Society. He is<br />
a member of the bars of Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,<br />
New Jersey <strong>and</strong> corresponding Federal Courts as well as national<br />
<strong>and</strong> local bar associations.<br />
Peter S. Novak (elected on April 25, 2008)<br />
is the principal of Charter Oak Insurance<br />
<strong>and</strong> Financial Services Co. of Springfield<br />
Massachusetts, an insurance brokerage<br />
<strong>and</strong> financial services agency serving<br />
several states in the New Engl<strong>and</strong> area<br />
through 175 agents. <strong>The</strong> agency has won<br />
the prestigious MassMutual Chairman’s<br />
Trophy Competition for each of the past<br />
nine years. <strong>The</strong> firm currently has in excess<br />
of $2.75 billion under management.<br />
Mr. Novak holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology<br />
Polish Government Honors<br />
CHRISTINE KUSKOWSKI<br />
Continued on Page 26<br />
Christine B. Kuskowski, volunteer Director of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong>’s Teaching English in Pol<strong>and</strong> Program (TEIP), was<br />
recently awarded <strong>The</strong> Medal of the Commission of National Education<br />
of the Republic of Pol<strong>and</strong> by Ryszard Legutko, Minister of<br />
Education, at a ceremony held at the Polish Ministry of National<br />
Education in Warsaw. A special reception was held afterwards at<br />
the Warsaw office of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Polish National Commission for UNESCO in Warsaw<br />
nominated Ms. Kuskowski for the award in recognition for her<br />
“considerable accomplishments to promote educational <strong>and</strong><br />
cultural relations between the United States <strong>and</strong> Pol<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> for<br />
her personal contribution <strong>and</strong> devotion to the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s<br />
Teaching English in Pol<strong>and</strong> Program.” Ms. Kuskowski, a<br />
retired educator, has been affiliated with the TEIP Program since<br />
1992. <strong>The</strong> Medal of the Commission of National Education is the<br />
Continued on Page 26<br />
12 THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION
KOSCIUSZKO<br />
FOUNDATION<br />
Children’s Programs<br />
So That THE KIDS KNOW<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Program on Polish Culture,<br />
History <strong>and</strong> Traditions concluded its season with<br />
a flourish on April 12th<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s children’s series entitled “Polish<br />
Culture, History <strong>and</strong> Traditions” rounded up a wonderful season<br />
on April 12th, leaving the youngsters who participated with a rich<br />
<strong>and</strong> memorable experience,<br />
not to mention lots<br />
of reasons to feel pride<br />
in their Polish roots. <strong>The</strong><br />
series was presented in<br />
association with the Polish<br />
American Teachers<br />
Association.<br />
<strong>The</strong> program series<br />
commenced on October<br />
20th with “<strong>The</strong> Seeds of<br />
Freedom,” a fact-filled<br />
theatrical presentation<br />
instructing children on<br />
the significant role played<br />
by Tadeusz <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
in helping the Colonial<br />
Army win the American<br />
Revolutionary War. This<br />
was followed by “A Traditional Polish Christmas,” on December<br />
1st, a workshop led by Dorothy Wieczerzak where the children<br />
designed their own Christmas ornaments, one for the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> House Christmas tree, <strong>and</strong> one to take home for their<br />
own tree.<br />
With Spring just around the corner, the <strong>Foundation</strong> hosted the<br />
next program, “Polish<br />
Folklore, Fables, <strong>and</strong><br />
Storytelling Competition,”<br />
on March 15th,<br />
an event organized by<br />
the Polish American<br />
Teachers Association<br />
<strong>and</strong> held at the <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
House, featuring<br />
students from Polish<br />
supplementary schools in the New York metropolitan area competing<br />
for the best storyteller. At “Traditional Polish Folk Dancing,”<br />
on April 12th children attending learned the basics of traditional<br />
Polish folk dancing with the help of the Polish American Folk<br />
Dance Company, led by artistic director Ryszard Sudol.<br />
Christmas worskhop photos: Piotr Krzaczkowski<br />
Dance workshop photos: Artur Marnik<br />
Monika Olszer Jasinska, Director of Development, declared the<br />
program a success, not only in terms of the number of children<br />
attending, but also in their enthusiasm.<br />
<strong>The</strong> most recent event, April 12th’s dance workshop, was in the<br />
words of Ms. Olszer Jasinska, “Fantastic.”<br />
“<strong>The</strong> instructor was amazed by the discipline <strong>and</strong> focus of the<br />
young dancers,” noted Ms.<br />
Olszer Jasinska. “He said<br />
that sometimes he works<br />
with a group of children for<br />
a year <strong>and</strong> doesn’t get this<br />
kind of result.”<br />
Food <strong>and</strong> gifts for many of<br />
the events was donated —<br />
in October by the Garden<br />
in Greenpoint, in December<br />
by Eli’s Catering <strong>and</strong> in April by Grace’s Marketplace.<br />
<strong>The</strong> events brought the children into contact with some of Polonia’s<br />
great supporters in<br />
the New York metropolitan<br />
area, such as Halina<br />
Kalitka, Chairperson<br />
of this year’s <strong>Ball</strong> (see<br />
related article) who led<br />
the children in Christmas<br />
Carols during the<br />
December Christmas<br />
workshop, <strong>and</strong> Dorothy<br />
Wieczerzak, a longtime<br />
member of the Polish<br />
American Teachers’ Association, who has a unique talent for<br />
teaching children about Polish culture.<br />
“It’s been a great year,” noted Ms. Jasinska.<br />
13
Frank Piasecki, 1919 – 2008<br />
Legendary helicopter pioneer <strong>and</strong> longtime<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Trustee passes away.<br />
It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of not only a<br />
legend in the history of aeronautics, but also longtime <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> Trustee <strong>and</strong> supporter<br />
Frank Piasecki, who<br />
died at his home in Haverford,<br />
Pennsylvania on February 11,<br />
2008 at the age of 88.<br />
Born on October 25, 1919 to<br />
Polish immigrants, Mr. Piasecki<br />
became internationally known<br />
as one of the pioneers in<br />
helicopter aviation. He was the<br />
second American to build <strong>and</strong><br />
fly a helicopter, in 1943. He<br />
also designed the first t<strong>and</strong>em<br />
(twin propeller) helicopter,<br />
dubbed the “flying banana”<br />
due to its shape, which is still<br />
in use today <strong>and</strong> expected to<br />
Photo courtesy of Piasecki Aircraft Corporation<br />
be in service for the U.S. Army<br />
through the year 2030.<br />
Mr. Piasecki joined the board of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> in<br />
1953, <strong>and</strong> served until 1998, afterward serving as Trustee Emeritus.<br />
Throughout his life, he used his fame <strong>and</strong> connections to promote<br />
Polish culture <strong>and</strong> heritage<br />
in whatever way possible, both<br />
through his service as a Trustee<br />
<strong>and</strong> through other organizations.<br />
He was a generous contributor to<br />
the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>, including<br />
the initial donation to start-up<br />
the <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Philadelphia<br />
chapter in 1994.<br />
Photo courtesy of Piasecki Aircraft Corporation<br />
Despite physical infirmities from recent<br />
strokes, he remained mentally strong, <strong>and</strong> was still designing<br />
new inventions up until his death, serving as Chief Executive of<br />
Piasecki Aircraft Corporation, which he founded in 1955.<br />
Mr. Piasecki was clearly one of the old school entrepreneurs,<br />
driven hard to prove the worth of his inventions, with the entrepreneurial<br />
war stories to prove it. <strong>The</strong> New York Times in its obituary<br />
for Mr. Piasecki, reported that he towed his first helicopter the<br />
PV-2, by its tail, tied to the back of his Studebaker, to Washington<br />
D.C. to demonstrate it to War Department officials. <strong>The</strong> wheels on<br />
the copter had no ball bearings, so he had to stop every 10 to 15<br />
minutes to cool them off with water. One time along the journey,<br />
he had to hop a fence to get some water <strong>and</strong> was chased by a<br />
bull.<br />
He was also a man of broad interests that extended beyond<br />
aircraft engineering. He was an accomplished violinist <strong>and</strong> a gifted<br />
amateur photographer.<br />
Major newspapers throughout the country reported his passing,<br />
eulogizing him in writing for his contributions to aeronautics <strong>and</strong><br />
helicopter innovation. We at the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> extend<br />
our deep condolences to his family <strong>and</strong> our warm thanks for all he<br />
has done for the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> <strong>and</strong> for Polonia.<br />
Mr. Piasecki is survived by his wife Vivian <strong>and</strong> their children Nicole,<br />
Frederick, John, Lynn Piasecki Cunningham, Frank, Michael<br />
<strong>and</strong> Gregory.<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Welcomes ITS<br />
YOUNGEST MEMBER<br />
As with all new members, Julia Emily Marnik received a warm<br />
welcome to the family of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> from President<br />
<strong>and</strong> Executive Director Joseph E. Gore, Esq., but he forgave<br />
Julia for not acknowledging the welcome, since she isn’t old<br />
enough to speak yet.<br />
Julia was born on September 14, 2007 to <strong>Foundation</strong> staff member<br />
Katarzyna Marnik, assistant in the development <strong>and</strong> accounting<br />
departments, <strong>and</strong> her husb<strong>and</strong> Artur. On December 6, 2007<br />
she became the youngest member of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
with a Junior membership. Julia’s mother decided to get her off<br />
to a good start on staying in touch with her heritage. As members<br />
young <strong>and</strong> old know, the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> is a great place<br />
to stay in touch with Polish culture <strong>and</strong> traditions.<br />
Please join us in welcoming young Julia to the membership rolls!<br />
For more information about membership, contact the Development<br />
Department at the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>, 212-734-2130.<br />
Simply the Best<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> recently<br />
qualified for the Independent Charities<br />
of America’s “Best in America” Seal of<br />
Excellence.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ICA’s Seal of Excellence is awarded<br />
to members of ICA <strong>and</strong> Local Independent<br />
Charities of America that have,<br />
upon rigorous independent review, been<br />
able to certify, document, <strong>and</strong> demonstrate<br />
on an annual basis that they meet<br />
the highest st<strong>and</strong>ards of public accountability,<br />
program effectiveness, <strong>and</strong> cost<br />
effectiveness. <strong>The</strong>se st<strong>and</strong>ards include those required by the US<br />
Government for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign,<br />
probably the most exclusive fund drive in the world. Of the one<br />
million charities operating in the United States today, it is estimated<br />
that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ards, <strong>and</strong> of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded<br />
this Seal.<br />
Congratulations to the Trustees, Officers <strong>and</strong> Staff of the <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
on a job well done!<br />
14 THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION
l. to r.: Director of Cultural Affiars Tom Pniewski, Scholarsip <strong>and</strong> Grant Officer for Americans Addy Tymczyszyn, President <strong>and</strong> Executive Director Joseph, E. Gore,<br />
Esq., Eliza Subotowicz, Jeffery Chudy, Katarzyna Sakowicz, Izabela Rodzen, Marta Ksepka, Jaimee Kamnik, Joanna Fertala, Anna Rocki, Krystyna Banka, Anna Fin,<br />
Mark Kochanowicz, Catherine Czacki, <strong>and</strong> Chairman of the Board of Trustees Witold Sulimirski.<br />
Huge Turnout for 2007<br />
Awards Day<br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> president heralds a<br />
new era of multimedia technology<br />
for the 21st Century<br />
Scholars <strong>and</strong> their families attended the<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s 2007 Awards<br />
Day ceremonies held for an afternoon that<br />
honored the <strong>Foundation</strong>’s 2007 grantees.<br />
It was a record turnout, the “best in years,”<br />
noted Director of Cultural Affairs Tom<br />
Pniewski, who acted as master of ceremonies<br />
for the annual event, which took place<br />
in the Gallery of Polish Masters at the<br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> House at 15 E. 65th Street on<br />
Manhattan’s Upper East Side.<br />
Mr. Witold Sulimirski, Chairman of the<br />
Board of Trustees, welcomed the grantees<br />
<strong>and</strong> their guests, introducing President <strong>and</strong><br />
Executive Director Joseph E. Gore, Esq.,<br />
who underscored the work of the grantees<br />
<strong>and</strong> their enthusiasm for their chosen field<br />
of study, noting that “each year, we still<br />
receive more applications for scholarships<br />
<strong>and</strong> for support study <strong>and</strong> research than<br />
we can possibly fund,” in a world growing<br />
increasingly preoccupied with material<br />
comforts. In that context he emphasized<br />
that “[o]ur students <strong>and</strong> grantees are <strong>and</strong><br />
will be agents for change <strong>and</strong> good. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
make our lives richer, <strong>and</strong> make the world<br />
a better place.”<br />
He also announced to the guests present<br />
a new era of multimedia for the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong>, noting that the cost of the new<br />
media technologies has “fallen like a rock,”<br />
<strong>and</strong> asking them to keep an eye out for<br />
new website features, including audio <strong>and</strong><br />
even video productions that will further the<br />
reach of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s message<br />
to America <strong>and</strong> the world.<br />
With that, the scholarship awards were<br />
h<strong>and</strong>ed out by Addy Tymczyszyn, <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Scholarship <strong>and</strong><br />
Grants Officer for Americans, assisted by<br />
Mr. Pniewski, as about 75 family, friends,<br />
<strong>and</strong> well wishers looked on.<br />
Immediately prior to the award distributions,<br />
the audience enjoyed a wonderful<br />
performance by 2007 Wieniawski competition<br />
winner Regi Papa, accompanied<br />
by pianist Ming Kyung Cho. Mr. Papa<br />
performed two pieces, “Tzigane” by Ravel,<br />
<strong>and</strong> “La Sautille” by Wieniawski.<br />
Those present also had the opportunity to<br />
hear the 2007 Chopin competition runner<br />
up, Ms. Zhenni Li, play Chopin’s<br />
dem<strong>and</strong>ing “Sonata No. 3 in B Minor” from<br />
memory, an absorbing performance that<br />
kept listeners on the edge of their seats.<br />
Afterwards, all attendees were invited to<br />
a reception in the main dining room of the<br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> House on the ground floor<br />
level for refreshments <strong>and</strong> hors d’oeuvres.<br />
More information about the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> can be found on it’s website,<br />
www.thekf.org. For information on the<br />
types of research <strong>and</strong> studies for which the<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> provides grants,<br />
download the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> 2007<br />
<strong>Annual</strong> Report at www.thekf.org/Newsletter.<br />
Inset: Regi Papa. Below: Zhenni Li<br />
captivating the audience with Chopin’s<br />
“Sonata No. 3 in B Minor.”<br />
15
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> Squadron Exhibit<br />
Dedicated at Central Connecticut<br />
State University<br />
With the support of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>, Central Connecticut<br />
State University dedicated a new permanent Commemorative<br />
Exhibit to the famed <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> Squadron on November<br />
10th, welcoming a large group of dignitaries to participate in the<br />
opening ceremonies, giving this unique military unit a new outlet<br />
for people to learn about its remarkable history <strong>and</strong> record of<br />
achievement.<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Trustee Stanislaw A. Milewski, M.D.<br />
spoke at the dedication ceremonies, which were presided over<br />
by Waldemar S. Kostrzewa, Chairman of the Advisory Committee<br />
of the Stanislaus A. Blejwas Endowed Chair in Polish <strong>and</strong> Polish<br />
American Studies. M. B. Biskupski, PhD, the current Chairholder,<br />
gave the keynote address. Mary M. Heslin, a Connecticut resident<br />
of Polish origin, who had served as a Commissioner in Connecticut,<br />
led the drive to fund the Exhibition locally.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> Squadron, like the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> itself,<br />
was one of a series of initiatives by Americans of the time to help<br />
Pol<strong>and</strong> in its newly independent status. Lacking many of the institutions<br />
of longst<strong>and</strong>ing nations thanks to over one hundred years<br />
of partition, Pol<strong>and</strong> no sooner emerged as a sovereign nation than<br />
to face attack by the newly established Bolshevik state, bent on<br />
bringing its communist revolution to Western Europe.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Squadron was initiated by an American, Merian Cooper, an<br />
American World War I pilot, who accompanied Herbert Hoover to<br />
Eastern Europe in 1920 as part of the Herbert Hoover American<br />
Relief Administration Mission. Cooper was impressed with the<br />
spirit <strong>and</strong> bravery of the inhabitants of the Polish city of Lwow,<br />
which refused to give in to a siege by Bolshevik forces despite<br />
severe deprivation. He offered his services to Marshal Pilsudski,<br />
to help in the air campaign in their battle against the Bolsheviks in<br />
what is now known as the Polish-Russian War of 1920.<br />
After a good deal of discussions <strong>and</strong> networking, Cooper persuaded<br />
sixteen American pilots from World War I, as well as one Canadian<br />
pilot to join him. <strong>The</strong> entire squadron eventually included four<br />
Poles as well.<br />
<strong>The</strong> air battles, not well documented in military history, were<br />
often bitter, but helped Pol<strong>and</strong> beat back the Bolsheviks at the<br />
banks of the Vistula River, in what is now known as “<strong>The</strong> Miracle<br />
on the Vistula.” It has been described by British statesmen Lord<br />
D’Abernon as “<strong>The</strong> eighteenth most decisive battle of the world,”<br />
foiling the Bolsheviks plans of pan-European revolution. Nine<br />
American pilots from the squadron, including Cooper, received the<br />
Virtuti Militari, Pol<strong>and</strong>’s highest Medal of Honor; three American<br />
pilots were killed, <strong>and</strong> are buried in Lwow.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Squadron remained in operation <strong>and</strong> was called to action<br />
again when the Nazis invaded Pol<strong>and</strong> on September 1, 1939.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Polish Air Force shot down 285 Nazi planes, damaged 279<br />
additional aircraft, <strong>and</strong> inflicted 539 fatal casualties on the Nazi<br />
Air Force, with the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> Squadron shooting down seven<br />
Nazi aircraft. Evacuated to Britain via France, the squadron fought<br />
bravely in the battle of Britain, scoring 126 kills, but registering just<br />
eight losses, astounding the British public.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Exhibition features videos, captioned photographs, <strong>and</strong><br />
plaques relating the history <strong>and</strong> adventures of the squadron’s<br />
members. For more information, contact <strong>The</strong> New Engl<strong>and</strong> Air<br />
Museum in Windsor Locks, Connecticut at 860-623-3305.<br />
Summer Study Sessions Announced<br />
for 2008<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> announced its Summer Studies Program<br />
for 2008. <strong>The</strong> Program offers students seeking college credit<br />
interested in Polish language, history <strong>and</strong> culture <strong>and</strong> presents<br />
a highly affordable opportunity to gain new insights to Pol<strong>and</strong>, a<br />
country whose story is a remarkable tale of resilience, perseverance<br />
<strong>and</strong> endurance.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Program is organized into different sessions of three, four <strong>and</strong><br />
six week classes at the historical Jagiellonian University in Krakow<br />
<strong>and</strong> two, three, four <strong>and</strong> five week classes at the John Paul II<br />
Catholic University in Lublin, Pol<strong>and</strong>. <strong>The</strong>y include Polish language<br />
courses at various levels, <strong>and</strong> also offer a rich selection of<br />
coursework on Polish history, art, literature, culture <strong>and</strong> traditions,<br />
delivered in the English language.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Polish cities of Krakow <strong>and</strong> Lublin are longtime university<br />
cities which attract students from all over the world. Both cities<br />
feature old towns dating from the Renaissance <strong>and</strong> have robust<br />
cultural <strong>and</strong> social lives catering to students.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Summer Studies Programs were first offered during the years<br />
between the two World Wars <strong>and</strong> restarted in 1970 after a long<br />
break due to World War II <strong>and</strong> the cold war that followed. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
have played a key role in the <strong>Foundation</strong>’s mission to inform<br />
Americans of the richness of Polish culture <strong>and</strong> its significant role<br />
in the development of both the United States <strong>and</strong> Europe.<br />
<strong>The</strong> prestige of the Summer Studies Program has attracted a<br />
long-line of Polish celebrities to deliver the Program’s opening<br />
lecture at the traditional inaugural ceremonies. Known for their<br />
contributions to the arts, sciences <strong>and</strong> politics, they have included<br />
such famous persons as the poet <strong>and</strong> Nobel Laureate Czeslaw<br />
Milosz, world renowned film directors Andrzej Wajda <strong>and</strong> Krzysztof<br />
Zanussi, Polish scholar Norman Davies <strong>and</strong> the former president<br />
of the National Bank of Pol<strong>and</strong>, Leszek Balcerowicz.<br />
Program fees range from $1,925 to $3,250 at the Jagiellonian University<br />
in Krakow <strong>and</strong> $980 to $3,110 at the John Paul II Catholic<br />
University in Lublin, depending on program duration <strong>and</strong> course<br />
selection. <strong>The</strong> application deadlines for both universities are May<br />
9, 2008. For more information, visit the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
website at www.thekf.org/EDSummer_study.html, or call the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> at 212-734-2130.<br />
16 THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION
KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION<br />
Cultural Events<br />
By Tom Pniewski, Director of<br />
Cultural Affairs<br />
Soprano Jacqueline Noparstak Wins<br />
2008 <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
Sembrich Competition<br />
Jacqueline Noparstak, soprano, won First Prize in the 2008 Sembrich<br />
Voice Scholarship Competition<br />
organized by the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> in New York City. A<br />
native of Eugene, Oregon, Ms.<br />
Noparstak studied at Columbia<br />
University <strong>and</strong> now resides in<br />
New York City. She has appeared<br />
throughout the United States <strong>and</strong><br />
won numerous competitions, most<br />
recently in the 2007 Liederkranz<br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> in New York. Ms.<br />
Noparstak received a $2,000 cash scholarship prize.<br />
Second Prize was won by bass Miroslaw Witkowski, a graduate of<br />
the Lodz Conservatory currently pursuing a Performer’s Diploma<br />
at Indiana University; he will receive a prize of<br />
$1,250. A Third Prize cash scholarship of $750<br />
was awarded to baritone John Brancy, a firstyear<br />
student at <strong>The</strong> Juilliard School, where he<br />
studies with Cynthia Hoffmann. <strong>The</strong> judges also<br />
presented a Special Mention to baritone Diego<br />
Matamoros, a graduate of the Yale School of<br />
Music.<br />
Marcella Sembrich<br />
Prizes were generously provided by the Marcella<br />
Sembrich Memorial Association, which<br />
also maintains the Sembrich Museum in Bolton L<strong>and</strong>ing, New York<br />
(www.operamuseum.org); <strong>and</strong> Ms. Ann Coxe Zagoreos, herself a<br />
singer <strong>and</strong> supporter of the arts, who is associated with the Sembrich<br />
Museum.<br />
Jurors included Alfred Hubay, a long-time<br />
manager <strong>and</strong> administrator at the Metropolitan<br />
Opera, who also judges for the George<br />
London <strong>Foundation</strong>; Nedda Casei, of the<br />
Metropolitan Opera; <strong>and</strong> Elaine Malbin, of<br />
New York City Opera <strong>and</strong> San Francisco<br />
Opera. Contestants were required to prepare<br />
a representative repertoire including songs<br />
<strong>and</strong> arias, selections by Moniuszko <strong>and</strong><br />
contemporary American <strong>and</strong> Polish works.<br />
Auditions were held at Hunter College on Saturday, March 8.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Competition honors Marcella Sembrich, the great Polish<br />
soprano who won an international reputation <strong>and</strong> established the<br />
voice faculties at both the Juilliard School <strong>and</strong> the Curtis Institute.<br />
Sembrich was not only a great artist but also a deeply loved teacher.<br />
Previous winners include Barbara Hendricks <strong>and</strong> Jan Opalach.<br />
Held every two years, the next Sembrich Voice Competition will<br />
take place in Spring 2010.<br />
BALTIC PIANO TRIO IN KOSCIUSZKO<br />
FOUNDATION DEBUT<br />
Henryk Melcer, Alicia Jonas, Panufnik <strong>and</strong> Faure on<br />
Program<br />
<strong>The</strong> BALTIC PIANO TRIO made its New York debut on Sunday,<br />
April 13 at 3 PM at the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> House. <strong>The</strong>ir<br />
program featured the lush late<br />
Romantic Trio in G Minor, Op.<br />
37, of Henryk Melcer (1869-1928<br />
; the bold Trio No. 1 (1934) of<br />
Andrzej Panufnik; the Piano Trio<br />
of Alicia Jonas, a Polish-born<br />
composer currently living <strong>and</strong><br />
teaching New York; <strong>and</strong> closed<br />
with the Trio in D Minor of Gabriel Faure.<br />
<strong>The</strong> concert was recorded for broadcast over WQXR-FM 96.3 on<br />
Sunday, April 20 at 6 PM. Members of the Baltic Trio are all on<br />
the faculty of the Moniuszko Conservatory of Music in Gdansk,<br />
Pol<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Maciej Sobczak, violinist, has appeared as soloist, orchestral <strong>and</strong><br />
chamber musician in Europe, Asia, <strong>and</strong> South America. He currently<br />
serves as Dean of the Department of Instrumental Music at<br />
the Conservatory.<br />
Jerzy Wujtewicz, cello, studied at conservatories in Kiev <strong>and</strong><br />
Moscow, <strong>and</strong> has been on the Moniuszko Conservatory faculty<br />
since 1988. Bogumila Weretka-Bajdor, piano, studied at the same<br />
Moniuszko Conservatory, <strong>and</strong> has toured through Europe <strong>and</strong> the<br />
US.<br />
Now in its 18th year, the Chamber Music Series of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> highlights Polish music <strong>and</strong> musicians, as part of the<br />
<strong>Foundation</strong>’s mission of promoting appreciation <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
of Polish culture in the United States.<br />
Camerata New York<br />
FEATURED IN MAY<br />
Polish-French Program<br />
<strong>The</strong> Camerata New York, a chamber orchestra celebrating eight<br />
years of highly-praised concerts in the New York area, performed<br />
at the <strong>Foundation</strong> on Sunday, May 18. Music Director Richard<br />
Owen compiled a program of Polish <strong>and</strong> French masterworks<br />
illustrating the interrelationships of the two national styles. He<br />
introduced <strong>and</strong> conducted the concert, including works of Rameau<br />
<strong>and</strong> Leclair alongside music of Chopin, Kilar, <strong>and</strong> Gorecki, in what<br />
proved to be an exceptional finale to the season.<br />
17
Gala at Carnegie Hall<br />
CONCERT MARKS<br />
SZYMANOWSKI<br />
ANNIVERSARY<br />
Karol Szymanowski , the “Father<br />
of Modern Polish Music,” was born<br />
125 years ago, in 1882. <strong>The</strong> significance<br />
of his career was summed<br />
up by Marek Jurek, Speaker of the<br />
Polish Sejm (Parliament) in proclaiming<br />
2007–2008 the “Year of<br />
Szymanowski.”<br />
After a period of stagnation in Polish music<br />
following Chopin’s death, it was Karol Szymanowski<br />
w (1882 – 1937) who provided it<br />
with an invigorating impulse for further development.<br />
Today he is recognized as the<br />
spiritual father of 20th-century Polish music.<br />
He developed his own musical style,<br />
introducing elements of folk music, which<br />
became a guiding star for generations<br />
of Polish composers. Without his output,<br />
which has been seeing a huge renaissance<br />
over recent decades, Polish music culture<br />
would not have achieved a st<strong>and</strong>ard that<br />
gives it a prominent place in the world.<br />
Szymanowski was Pol<strong>and</strong>’s most significant<br />
composer of the first half of the 20th<br />
century, <strong>and</strong> the founder of her modern<br />
music tradition. Trained in Pol<strong>and</strong>, he traveled<br />
extensively, including American, North<br />
Africa, <strong>and</strong> Sicily, <strong>and</strong> had a distinguished<br />
career as a composer <strong>and</strong> pianist. He<br />
took in the dominant musical styles of his<br />
day, including late<br />
Romanticism <strong>and</strong><br />
Impressionism, but<br />
went on to combine<br />
them with elements<br />
of Pol<strong>and</strong>’s unique<br />
folk traditions to create<br />
a personal yet<br />
national style. His<br />
late works, including<br />
the piano Mazurkas,<br />
the opera King Roger,<br />
Karol Szymanowski<br />
the folk ballet Harnasie, <strong>and</strong> the monumental<br />
oratorio Stabat Mater earn him a place<br />
alongside Bartok <strong>and</strong> Stravinsky in the<br />
European nationalist tradition. His achievements<br />
link the Romanticism of Chopin<br />
<strong>and</strong> modern masters such as Lutoslawski,<br />
Gorecki, <strong>and</strong> Penderecki. For many reasons,<br />
including Pol<strong>and</strong>’s difficult political<br />
situation after World War II, his music is not<br />
as well known as it deserves to be. Recent<br />
years have seen a great growth of interest,<br />
including performances <strong>and</strong> recordings,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the <strong>Foundation</strong>’s concert, marking<br />
the 125th anniversary of his birth, was a<br />
response to that interest.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> mounted a<br />
gala concert of outst<strong>and</strong>ing Polish musicians<br />
performing music of Szymanowski in<br />
Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall on Saturday,<br />
October 13, to celebrate Szymanowski’s<br />
anniversary. Performers included<br />
the Penderecki String Quartet, who played<br />
both of his quartets; pianist Anna Kijanowska,<br />
in a group of Mazurkas; mezzosoprano<br />
Edyta Kulczak, accompanied by<br />
Steven Eldredge, in a selection of songs;<br />
violinist Hanna Lachert, <strong>and</strong> pianist Helene<br />
Jeanney, with his Violin Sonata. A capacity<br />
audience filled the hall, <strong>and</strong> responded<br />
enthusiastically. Music from the program<br />
was broadcast on WQXR-FM 96.3.<br />
<strong>The</strong> concert <strong>and</strong> broadcast were generously<br />
supported by the <strong>Foundation</strong>’s<br />
Cierpik Szymanowski Fund. Support also<br />
came from the Cultural Endowment Fund<br />
in Memory of Dr. James Hagadus, <strong>and</strong><br />
the Mary Koons Charitable Trust, both of<br />
which help support the <strong>Foundation</strong>’s many<br />
cultural programs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> following members <strong>and</strong> Officers of<br />
the <strong>Foundation</strong> also contributed to the<br />
concert: Drs. Fryderyk <strong>and</strong> Halina Dammont;<br />
Anna Czekaj Farber; KF Trustee<br />
Joseph E. Gore, Esq., <strong>and</strong> Eugenia Gore;<br />
KF Vice-Chairman Christine J. McMullan;<br />
Paul Novak; KF Vice-Chairman W<strong>and</strong>a<br />
Senko <strong>and</strong> John Senko; Mildred H. Tyszka<br />
<strong>and</strong> KF Trustee Helen Mary M. Tyszka; KF<br />
Trustee Henry C. Walentowicz, Esq., <strong>and</strong><br />
Karina Walentowicz.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> greatly appreciates<br />
their support.<br />
2007–2008<br />
ChamberMusic Series<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Chamber Music Series continued its highly acclaimed<br />
concerts <strong>and</strong> radio broadcasts, now in their 18th year. Initiated<br />
in 1990, the series has brought Polish music <strong>and</strong> musicians<br />
to hundreds of thous<strong>and</strong>s of listeners through live concerts at the<br />
<strong>Foundation</strong>’s acoustically superb Gallery, lined with paintings by<br />
Polish masters, <strong>and</strong> broadcasts over WQXR-FM, the radio station<br />
of the New York Times.<br />
November brought the <strong>Foundation</strong> debut of the Apollo Trio, a<br />
New York-based piano trio made up off violinist Curtis Macomber,<br />
cellist Michael Kannen, <strong>and</strong> pianist Marija Stroke. <strong>The</strong>ir program<br />
included the dramatic but rarely-heard Piano Trio, Op. 1, of<br />
contemporary Polish composer Andrzej Panufnik, as well as the<br />
beloved F Minor Trio of Dvorak <strong>and</strong> Haydn’s Trio in B-flat.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Long Isl<strong>and</strong> Baroque Ensemble returned to the <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
on December 16 after a break of several years, for a special<br />
holiday concert highlighting Baroque music of Pol<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> her<br />
neighbors. <strong>The</strong> ensemble of oboe, two violins, harpsichord, <strong>and</strong><br />
cello offered works of Stanislaw Szarzynski <strong>and</strong> Martin Mileczewski<br />
will be framed by more familiar composers such as Telemann<br />
<strong>and</strong> Quantz. <strong>The</strong> Ensemble’s Director is Sonia Grib, herself of<br />
Polish background.<br />
Musicians from Caramoor” were featured in the January 20 concert,<br />
which welcomed back to the <strong>Foundation</strong> pianist Andrew Armstrong,<br />
Laureate of our 1992 Chopin Piano Competition who went<br />
on to the 1996 Van Cliburn Competition <strong>and</strong> a most successful<br />
career as soloist <strong>and</strong> chamber musician. He was joined by violinist<br />
Timothy Fain <strong>and</strong> cellist Edward Arron in an all-Polish program of<br />
works by Chopin <strong>and</strong> Szymanowski. <strong>The</strong> highlight was the virtuosic<br />
but rarely-heard Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 8, of Chopin.<br />
February 3 brought the first<br />
performance at the <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
by the Fountain Chamber Music<br />
Society. <strong>The</strong>ir program featured<br />
the first performance in the<br />
Series of Krzysztof Penderecki’s<br />
Clarinet Quartet, as well as<br />
chamber music Jean Francaix,<br />
Paul Hindemith, <strong>and</strong> Kurt Weill.<br />
This season, Chamber Music<br />
Series concerts <strong>and</strong> broadcasts<br />
are bring supported by Jack Radgowski, Founder <strong>and</strong> CEO of<br />
Central Semiconductor Corp., Hauppauge, Long Isl<strong>and</strong>; Ms. Ann<br />
Coxe Zagoreos; <strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Cierpik Szymanowski<br />
Fund; the Mary F.Koons Charitable Trust; <strong>and</strong> Cynthia <strong>and</strong><br />
Thomas Rosicki, Esqs., of Rosicki, Rosicki <strong>and</strong> Associates. <strong>The</strong>ir<br />
generous contributions have made possible the continuation of<br />
this long-st<strong>and</strong>ing series, a l<strong>and</strong>mark on the New York musical<br />
scene.<br />
18 THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION
“Mazowsze” Paintings by Beata<br />
Drozd Exhibition in April<br />
From late April through May, the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> hosted “Mazowsze”, an exhibition<br />
<strong>and</strong> sale of art by Polish artist Beata Drozd.<br />
Trained in London <strong>and</strong> Paris, Ms. Drozd<br />
attended performances of Pol<strong>and</strong>’s world-famous<br />
folk dance company Mazowsze during<br />
their American tour last December. She was<br />
able to photograph their dazzling costumes<br />
<strong>and</strong> prepare paintings <strong>and</strong> sketches for<br />
exhibitions in Pol<strong>and</strong> to mark the ensemble’s<br />
60th anniversary. <strong>The</strong> show at the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong>, through May 18, is a “preview” of the Polish shows,<br />
scheduled for the National <strong>The</strong>atre <strong>and</strong> the Palace of Culture in<br />
Warsaw<br />
Nina Polan as Helena Modjeska<br />
in “Helena, <strong>The</strong> Emigrant<br />
Queen” at <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
“HELENA, THE EMIGRANT QUEEN,” Kazimierz Braun’s onewoman<br />
play about famed Polish actress Helena Modjeska<br />
(Modzejewska) was performed by Nina Polan on Thursday, April<br />
10, at the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>.<br />
“Helena” is set in Anaheim, Callifornia, as Modjeska (1840-1909)<br />
looks back over her life as a famed<br />
interpreter of Schiller <strong>and</strong> Ibsen,<br />
among others, <strong>and</strong> the greatest<br />
female Shakespearean of her day.<br />
It is a retrospective featuring her triumphs<br />
<strong>and</strong> defeats, <strong>and</strong> her private<br />
life, in an extraordinary tour-de-force<br />
which deals simultaneously with Polish<br />
history of the times. Since she<br />
died four years later, one might say<br />
this was her final farewell.<br />
Born in Pol<strong>and</strong>, Nina Polan was<br />
trained at the Royal Academy of<br />
Dramatic Arts in London. After<br />
several seasons in West End <strong>and</strong><br />
regional British <strong>and</strong> European productions,<br />
she came to America <strong>and</strong><br />
Nina Polan<br />
played numerous Shakespearean <strong>and</strong> contemporary roles. since<br />
1984 she has been Executive <strong>and</strong> Artistic Director of the Polish<br />
<strong>The</strong>atre Institute. This is the fourth time that she has portrayed the<br />
great Polish actress.<br />
Artistic Director Stuart Vaughan was Founding Artistic Director of<br />
the New York Shakespeare Festival, has directed over forty New<br />
York productions, <strong>and</strong> has served as guest director for regional<br />
theatres from coast to coast. Mr. Vaughan began in the theatre as<br />
an actor, <strong>and</strong> since joining Actor’s Equity in 1946, has appeared<br />
on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in stock, <strong>and</strong> in regional theatre.<br />
This production is partially funded by the New York State Council<br />
on the Arts.<br />
Kosciuzko <strong>Foundation</strong> Alumnus<br />
Screens Film at New York<br />
Polish Film Festival<br />
Polish documentary film maker <strong>and</strong> former <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
grant recipient Anna Ferens screened her latest film, “Where<br />
do the Wild Strawberries Grow?”, at the Fourth <strong>Annual</strong> New York<br />
Polish Film Festival, held from May 9 to May 13, 2008, itself cosponsored<br />
by the <strong>Foundation</strong> (see related article below).<br />
Ms. Ferens was the recipient of a $7,650 grant during 2006 to visit<br />
the United States <strong>and</strong> research the story of Polish-born film score<br />
composer Bronislaw Kaper in preparation of a documentary film<br />
about Mr. Kaper, about whom little is known in Pol<strong>and</strong>. Mr. Kaper<br />
was the first native born Pole to win an Academy Award, for the<br />
score to the film Lili, in 1953. Her research on Kaper was profiled<br />
on page nine of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> 2006 <strong>Annual</strong> Report.<br />
Her current film deals with the painful but often overlooked subject<br />
of Poles murdered by the Soviets during World War II in the Kiev<br />
region of the Ukraine. In 2006, Polish archeologists were granted<br />
permission to dig in the region of a mass grave in a forest near<br />
Kiev, where the remains of 30,000 people, including several<br />
thous<strong>and</strong> Poles are buried. <strong>The</strong> murders took place between 1937<br />
<strong>and</strong> 1941. Ms. Ferens’s film follows the work of the archaeologists<br />
<strong>and</strong> examines the views of local residents about the mass<br />
graves. It also tells the story of Krystyna <strong>and</strong> Jan, two Poles who<br />
were hoping that the archaeological dig could turn up clues about<br />
the disappearances of their respective fathers at the beginning of<br />
World War II.<br />
<strong>The</strong> film won an award for best documentary film at the Festival.<br />
For more information, visit the Festival website at www.nypff.com<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> was a<br />
proud sponsor of the Fourth <strong>Annual</strong><br />
New York Polish Film Festival, held<br />
from May 9 – 13, 2008 at the Anthology<br />
Film Archives in downtown Manhattan.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Festival was declared a huge<br />
success by organizer Hanna Hartowicz.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Festival included a sold out screening<br />
of Andrzej Wajda’s Academy Award<br />
nominated film Katyn at the Museum of<br />
Modern Art.<br />
19
KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION<br />
CHAPTERS<br />
Congratulations to<br />
Marian Kornilowicz!<br />
<strong>The</strong> Philadelphia Chapter warmly congratulates Chapter member<br />
Marian A. Kornilowicz, Esq. on his recent election to the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> Board of Trustees. Mr. Kornilowicz regularly<br />
provides a location for the Chapter’s monthly meetings at the law<br />
office in Philadelphia where he is a partner.<br />
Philadelphia Christmas Celebrations<br />
<strong>The</strong> much-loved annual Polish Christmas Celebration of the Philadelphia<br />
Chapter took place on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at the<br />
Villanova Conference Center in Radnor, PA. Guests enjoyed a<br />
spirited performance of Polish<br />
<strong>and</strong> American Christmas<br />
carols in jazz style by New<br />
York City-based trumpeter<br />
Marek Skwarczynski <strong>and</strong> his<br />
Jazz Vision B<strong>and</strong>. A delectable<br />
meal featuring Polish<br />
cuisine was followed by the<br />
joyful sounds of Christmas<br />
caroling. <strong>The</strong> guest of honor<br />
at this year’s Polish Christmas<br />
Celebration was Mrs.<br />
Grazyna Kostecka Langenfeld,<br />
a member of the Polish Home<br />
Army <strong>and</strong> participant in the<br />
Warsaw Uprising.<br />
Sister Olga Noetzel of Holy Family<br />
University, Mrs. Grazyna Kostecka Langenfeld,<br />
Chapter President Dr. Teresa G.<br />
Wojcik, <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Langenfeld’s daughter<br />
Wiesia.<br />
Herbert Hoover Exhibition<br />
Beginning in October <strong>and</strong> proceeding through March 15, the Arch<br />
Street Friends (Quaker) Meeting House hosted the exhibition of<br />
“American Friendship: Herbert Hoover <strong>and</strong> Pol<strong>and</strong>.” <strong>The</strong> Philadelphia<br />
Chapter was pleased to be a co-sponsor of this important<br />
educational exhibit, which featured numerous photographs <strong>and</strong><br />
other primary documents from the Archives of the Hoover Institute<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Polish National Archives. <strong>The</strong> exhibit tells the often untold<br />
story of Herbert Hoover’s commitment to Pol<strong>and</strong> as a private citizen,<br />
statesman, President, <strong>and</strong> above all, dedicated humanitarian.<br />
Officers <strong>and</strong> members of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Philadelphia Chapter at<br />
the Hoover Exhibit. (l to r): Pawel Latos, Wiesia Langenfeld, Peter Obst, Joseph<br />
Strzalka, Stephanie Harzewski, Teresa G. Wojcik, Charles Pydych<br />
Polish Poetry Reading<br />
On November 2, 2007, the Philadelphia Chapter sponsored the<br />
annual Polish Poetry Reading of the Overbrook Poets Society<br />
at the Polish American Cultural Center. Organized by Chapter<br />
member Katarzyna Newcomer, the evening of Polish poetry<br />
featured the works of Jan Kochanowski, renowned Polish poet of<br />
the Renaissance. A highlight of the evening was the reading of<br />
an excerpt from Kochanowski’s Dismissal of the Greek Envoys,<br />
a play first performed in 1578 at a wedding in the court of King<br />
Stefan Batory.<br />
PHILADELPHIA PULASKI DAY PARADE: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Philadelphia<br />
Chapter marched in Philadelphia’s Pulaski Day Parade with pride back<br />
in October.<br />
20 THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION<br />
Officers of the Philadephia Chapter at the February Chapter meeting. seated in<br />
front, (l to r): Teresa G. Wojcik, Jolanta Roman. St<strong>and</strong>ing (l. to r. Ewa Fabiszewska,<br />
Andre Zlotnicki, Ursula Klimowicz, Marie Hejnosz, Bozena Klimowicz,<br />
Stephanie Harzewski, Jerzy Michniewski, Regina Gorzkowska-Rossi. Back row (l<br />
to r): Joseph Strzalka, Pawel Latos, Alfred J. Wolanin, III, Marian Kornilowicz
Chicago Chapter Screens<br />
Pulaski Documentary<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Chicago Chapter co-sponsored a showing of<br />
the documentary film Casimir Pulaski: A Polish <strong>and</strong> American<br />
Hero,” on March 3rd, at the Northeastern Illinois University Library.<br />
<strong>The</strong> film, directed by Polish documentary film maker Jolanta<br />
Kessler-Chojecka, who also attended the NEIU screening, has<br />
had screenings both here <strong>and</strong> in Pol<strong>and</strong>, most notably at Zamek<br />
Ujazdowski for which the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw was a cosponsor,<br />
as well as at the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> House in New<br />
York City, in October, 2007. It has also been broadcast on Polish<br />
public television.<br />
<strong>The</strong> film’s production was financed from several sources, including<br />
Pol<strong>and</strong>’s Ministry of Defense, the Polish Film Institute, Polish<br />
Public Television, the American Council for Polish Culture, the<br />
Ministry of Foreign Affairs <strong>and</strong> private Polish sponsors.<br />
In addition to Ms. Kessler-Chojecka, Colonel Tadeusz Krzastek,<br />
a Polish Military Advisor appeared at the screening, as well as<br />
Czeslawa Kolak of NEIU’s Department of Foreign Languages &<br />
Literature, who provided an introduction to the film.<br />
A Slice Of Vocal History<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Chicago Chapter co-sponsored a<br />
concert entitled “An Evening of Old Slavic Folk <strong>and</strong> Ritual Song”<br />
on February 25, 2008 at Northeastern Illinois University’s Recital<br />
Hall, giving the audience a bit of vocal folk history.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>The</strong> concert featured two Polish performers from the Brama<br />
<strong>The</strong>atre in Srebrna Gora, Pol<strong>and</strong> who are heavily involved in the<br />
preservation of local regional folk songs, many of which are at risk<br />
of being forgotten entirely due to the globalization of music <strong>and</strong><br />
media. Mariusz Tarnozek <strong>and</strong> Daniel Jacewicz have closely associated<br />
with the Brama <strong>The</strong>atre for years. Mr. Tarnozek has been<br />
with the theatre for 11 years; Mr. Jacewicz is its founder. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
have both been recognized for their contributions to preserving<br />
local heritage as expressed in song, dance, <strong>and</strong> folk stories.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two performed a range of songs from Pol<strong>and</strong>, Ukraine, Russia,<br />
Bulgaria, Romania, <strong>and</strong> Lithuania, most of which date back<br />
centuries, <strong>and</strong> which were only known in their local regions before<br />
the advent of recorded sound. Some of the songs are Polish<br />
songs which were popular in the Vilnius area, such as Nie smuc<br />
sie dzewczyno (Don’t Cry, Girl), or Smutku, smutku, (Oh, Sorrow,<br />
Sorrow) known primarily in the region of Kalisz, Pol<strong>and</strong>. <strong>The</strong><br />
songs were reminiscent of a time when towns in Pol<strong>and</strong> just fifty<br />
miles apart had very distinctive local cultures <strong>and</strong> traditions.<br />
<strong>The</strong> concert was also sponsored by the Northeastern Illinois University<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Council of Educators in Polonia.<br />
Attendees at the screening of Casimir Pulaski - A Polish <strong>and</strong> American Hero.<br />
Witold Sulmirski Honored by<br />
Chicago Chapter<br />
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Witold Sulimirski, in town as<br />
Guest of Honor for the Polish American Medical Society Physicians’<br />
<strong>Ball</strong> on February 2nd, 2008, was also honored by the<br />
Chicago Chapter at a special Chapter meeting at the Polonia<br />
Bookstore on that same day. Chapter representatives awarded<br />
Mr. Sulimirski with a plaque of recognition for his service to the<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>.<br />
Witold <strong>and</strong> Teresa Sulimirski (at center), with the officers <strong>and</strong> members of the<br />
Chicago Chapter.<br />
Attendees at the Feburary 25, 2008 concert.<br />
Chicago Chapter to Celebrate 25<br />
Years<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Chicago Chapter will hold a gala celebrating its<br />
25th anniversary on November 22, 2008.<br />
Chapter officials are seeking out past <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
scholarship recipients, participants<br />
in Chopin Piano Competitions organized<br />
by the Chapter, individuals who remember<br />
the period of the Chapter formation, <strong>and</strong><br />
all those who can contribute to completing<br />
the history of the Chapter. <strong>The</strong>y are<br />
also looking for members, who would like<br />
to be involved in gala preparation. Finally,<br />
they are seeking donations to the Chapter to assist in anniversary<br />
preparations. If you would like to help, please Contact the Chicago<br />
Chapter directly.<br />
21
FIRST OFFICERS OF THE OHIO CHAPTER: (l. to r.): Amy Lennon, Mary Kay<br />
Pieski, Maria Szonert-Binienda, <strong>and</strong> Sylwia Thorne.<br />
Welcome Ohio Chapter!<br />
On August 25, 2007, the organizational meeting of the Northeast<br />
Ohio Chapter of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> took place in Akron,<br />
Ohio at the home of Maria Szonert-Binienda <strong>and</strong> Wieslaw Binienda.<br />
Over forty members <strong>and</strong> friends attended. Joseph E. Gore,<br />
Esq., the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> president <strong>and</strong> executive director,<br />
was the guest of honor. Mr. Gore expressed his support <strong>and</strong> encouragement<br />
for the formation of the Northeast Ohio Chapter.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Northeast Chapter will seek to fulfill the <strong>Foundation</strong>’s mission<br />
in the Clevel<strong>and</strong> metropolitan area by helping the local Polonia<br />
community to connect with the special history of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> as both <strong>and</strong> educational <strong>and</strong> cultural foundation, <strong>and</strong><br />
its traditions of teaching Americans about the richness of Polish<br />
culture <strong>and</strong> history. <strong>The</strong>y expect to work in cooperation with many<br />
of the other longst<strong>and</strong>ing Polonia organizations in the Clevel<strong>and</strong><br />
metropolitan area. <strong>The</strong>re are over 200,000 residents in the area<br />
who claim Polish roots.<br />
Mr. Gore swore in the Chapter’s first officers at the meeting: Mary<br />
Kay Pieski — President, Maria Szonert-Binienda — Vice President,<br />
Sylwia Thorne — Treasurer <strong>and</strong> Amy Lennon — Secretary.<br />
Northeast Ohio Chapter<br />
Sponsors Clevel<strong>and</strong> Poster<br />
Exhibition<br />
<strong>The</strong> Northeast Ohio Chapter of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
presented a Polish Poster Exhibition at the John Paul II Cultural<br />
Center in Clevel<strong>and</strong>. <strong>The</strong> posters were borrowed from the collections<br />
of Mr. Peter Obst of Philadelphia <strong>and</strong> Mr. Robert Rybka of<br />
Clevel<strong>and</strong>. <strong>The</strong> opening reception was held at the John Paul II<br />
Cultural Center on Friday, February 22 at 7:30 P.M. <strong>The</strong> posters<br />
were on exhibit through he end of March 2008.<br />
Northeast Ohio Chapter Holds First<br />
Fundraising Banquet<br />
22 THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION<br />
Over 100 participants attended the Northeast Ohio Chapter’s<br />
First <strong>Annual</strong> Awards Banquet <strong>and</strong> Fundraiser on Saturday, April<br />
12, 2008 at the John Paul II Cultural Center in Clevel<strong>and</strong>, Ohio.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Banquet honored the Teachers <strong>and</strong> Teaching Assistants who<br />
volunteered in the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Teaching English in Pol<strong>and</strong><br />
Program (TEIP) over the past 17 years. Special recognition<br />
was given to Mrs. Christine B. Kuskowski of New York, Director<br />
of the Teaching English in Pol<strong>and</strong> Program <strong>and</strong> Professor Jerzy<br />
Maciuszko from Clevel<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Ms. Zosia Prochoroff of Shaker Heights was awarded with a<br />
framed certificate, book <strong>and</strong> a check for $350 by Mrs. Ewa Antonczyk,<br />
member of the scholarship committee, for her winning<br />
essay on the topic of the Katyn massacre. She is attends Shaker<br />
Heights school <strong>and</strong> studies violin at the Clevel<strong>and</strong> Institute of<br />
Music.<br />
Dr. Maciuszko, the intellectual leader of Clevel<strong>and</strong> Polonia was<br />
introduced by Robert Rybka, Esq. <strong>and</strong> presented with a Mayor’s<br />
Proclamation from Clevel<strong>and</strong> Mayor Frank Jackson <strong>and</strong> a City<br />
Council Resolution from Ward 12 in recognition of his work in the<br />
community.<br />
Mary Kay Pieski, <strong>The</strong> Northeast Ohio Chapter President introduced<br />
the TEIP <strong>and</strong> the second Honoree of the evening, Mrs.<br />
Christine B. Kuskowki, National Director of the TEIP since 1992,<br />
who came from New York to attend the banquet.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Teaching English in Pol<strong>and</strong> Program, sponsored by the<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> in conjunction with the Polish National<br />
Commission for UNESCO <strong>and</strong> the Polish Ministry of National Education<br />
provides hundreds of Polish students (upper elementary<br />
through high school) with instruction <strong>and</strong> practice in conversational<br />
English within an American cultural context. It also enables<br />
American teachers <strong>and</strong> students who volunteer their service to<br />
become acquainted with the people, history, language <strong>and</strong> culture<br />
of Pol<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Mrs. Kuskowski awarded participation certificates to the teachers<br />
<strong>and</strong> teaching assistants from Ohio who served in Pol<strong>and</strong>. Since<br />
1995 over 40 Ohioans served in the program.<br />
<strong>The</strong> evening concluded with a concert of works by Polish Composers<br />
by guitarist, Mr. George Bachmann, faculty member at<br />
Kent State University.<br />
Northeast Ohio Chapter Sponsors<br />
Grotowski Event<br />
“He was a man” An Introduction to the Life <strong>and</strong> Work of Polish<br />
Pioneer of Experimental <strong>The</strong>ater of Jerzy Grotowski(1933-1999)<br />
took place on Saturday, October 27, at 7 PM in the S<strong>and</strong>efur<br />
<strong>The</strong>atre in Guzetta Hall, University of Akron. James Slowiak, Professor<br />
of <strong>The</strong>atre Arts <strong>and</strong> Jairo Cuesta, an acclaimed Colombian<br />
actor, both former associates of Grotowski presented a video of<br />
Grotowski’s l<strong>and</strong>mark stage production of the Polish classic play<br />
Akropolis by Wyspianski <strong>and</strong> led a discussion on the legacy of<br />
Grotowski <strong>and</strong> his pioneering works. Slowiak <strong>and</strong> Cuesta are<br />
co-authors of a book Jerzy Grotowski that has been published recently<br />
by Routledge, a prestigious United Kingdom-based publishing<br />
house. A reception <strong>and</strong> book signing concluded the program.<br />
Jairo Cuesta (Left) <strong>and</strong> Professor James Slowiak.
New Engl<strong>and</strong> Chapter Celebrates<br />
10th Anniversary<br />
Tenth Anniversary Gala features Chopin Competition<br />
winner Claire Huangci; Chapter President Carolyn<br />
Topor presented with Pol<strong>and</strong>’s Member Cross.<br />
<strong>The</strong> New Engl<strong>and</strong> Chapter celebrated its 10th Anniversary in the<br />
l<strong>and</strong> of the <strong>Foundation</strong>’s founder, Professor Stephen P. Mizwa on<br />
April 26, 2008 with<br />
a gala that not only<br />
honored local area<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
Scholarship<br />
Recipients, but<br />
also chapter president<br />
Carolyn Topor<br />
with a unique <strong>and</strong><br />
rare award. It provided<br />
an evening of<br />
entertainment <strong>and</strong><br />
festivities that only<br />
the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> can<br />
provide.<br />
New Engl<strong>and</strong> Chapter President Carolyn Topor, obviously<br />
moved as she receives the Member Cross of the<br />
Order of Merit from Pol<strong>and</strong>’s Consul General Krzysztof<br />
Kasprzyk (at right).<br />
<strong>The</strong> program for<br />
the evening, attended<br />
by over 200<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
members <strong>and</strong> supporters, started with a dinner <strong>and</strong> awards<br />
presentation at the Hotel Marriott in Springfield, MA, during which<br />
the Honorable Krzysztof Kasprzyk, the New York Consul General<br />
for the Republic of Pol<strong>and</strong>, presented chapter president Carolyn<br />
Topor with the Member Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic<br />
of Pol<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Polish President Lech Kaczynski awarded Ms. Topor with the<br />
Member Cross to acknowledge her many years of service to both<br />
Pol<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> the community of Polish Americans, raising funds<br />
for worthy causes or otherwise promoting greater awareness of<br />
Pol<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Polish contributions to history, the sciences, literature,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the arts. <strong>The</strong> presentation of the award was well covered in<br />
the local area newspapers.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Gala was also an opportunity to honor the 19 <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> scholarship recipients <strong>and</strong> their families, with <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> Trustee Dr. Stanislaw Milewski presenting<br />
the certificates.<br />
<strong>The</strong> highlight of the musical program at the Springfield Symphony<br />
following the dinner <strong>and</strong> awards presentation for the evening<br />
was provided by none other than Claire Huangci, the winner of<br />
the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s 57th annual Chopin Competition,<br />
performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in f minor, Opus 21.<br />
Ms. Huangci received a st<strong>and</strong>ing ovation <strong>and</strong> delighted the guests<br />
with an encore.<br />
<strong>The</strong> concert also featured the Springfield Symphony Orchestra<br />
under the direction of Maestro Kevin Rhodes, which presented<br />
Orchestral Romance to round out the evening.<br />
<strong>The</strong> evening was also a fundraising success. A total of $1,500 in<br />
donations was received by the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> in honor<br />
(l. to r.) Vice Consul Urszula Slazak, Consul General Krzysztof Kasprzyk, New<br />
Engl<strong>and</strong> Chapter President Carolyn Topor, Honorary Consul-Boston Marek<br />
Lesniewski -Laas, <strong>and</strong> Joseph Topor.<br />
of Carolyn Topor as recipient of the Member Cross. In addition,<br />
the Chapter contributed $2,500 toward 50 new one-year memberships<br />
in the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>. Well done!<br />
Mr. Stas Radosh <strong>and</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Trustee Dr. Stanislaw Milewski (behind the podium at center) presided over presentation of scholarships to the many local<br />
area <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> scholarship recipients in attendance at the New Engl<strong>and</strong> Chapter’s 10th Anniversary Gala.<br />
23
Pittsburgh Chapter<br />
HONORS ANATOL RYCHALSKI<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Pittsburgh Chapter honored Anatol<br />
“Tony” Rychalski as Polonian of the Year at its 24th annual<br />
Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Polonian luncheon held at the Main <strong>Ball</strong>room of the<br />
University of Pittsburgh - Student Union on Saturday, May 17,<br />
2008. <strong>The</strong> award was presented to Anatol “Tony” Rychalski for his<br />
services to Polonia <strong>and</strong> for his distinguished <strong>and</strong> diverse career<br />
in military service, architecture <strong>and</strong> engineering. He is an active<br />
member of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>, Polish Cultural Council,<br />
Polish National Alliance, Polish American Congress, Polish American<br />
Institute of Arts <strong>and</strong> Science, Jozef Pilsudski Institute, <strong>and</strong> a<br />
supporter of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center.<br />
Born of Polish heritage in part of the Soviet Union that is now part<br />
of Ukraine (pre-revolutionary Pol<strong>and</strong>), he lived through a lot of<br />
recent history. After escaping from Russia, he became part of the<br />
British-Polish occupation forces in Germany. After demobilization<br />
he studied architecture in Germany. After entering the U.S.A.,<br />
Rychalski served in the American Army during <strong>The</strong> Korean War.<br />
Later as a citizen, he<br />
earned a degree in civilconstruction<br />
engineering<br />
<strong>and</strong> joined the U.S. Steel<br />
Corporation in Chicago<br />
<strong>and</strong> later transferred to<br />
Pittsburgh.<br />
Anatol Rychalski st<strong>and</strong>ing in front of the 50-<br />
foot sculpture “Picasso Chicago,” a replica of<br />
an original 41-inch tall Picasso sculpture. Mr.<br />
Rychalski supervised the design <strong>and</strong> construction<br />
of the giant replica.<br />
the largest malls in western Pennsylvania.<br />
24 THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION<br />
When in Chicago, he<br />
was in charge of the<br />
design <strong>and</strong> construction<br />
of the Chicago<br />
Picasso, a 50-foot-tall<br />
steel structure that the<br />
legendary Spanish artist<br />
fashioned for the plaza<br />
outside the civic center<br />
in 1967. While he was<br />
general manager of<br />
Design, Planning <strong>and</strong><br />
Marketing for U.S. Steel<br />
in Pittsburgh, Rychalski<br />
undertook the transformation<br />
of a 420-acre<br />
slag <strong>and</strong> industrial waste<br />
dump into development<br />
of Century III Mall, one of<br />
Mr. John Bartus, President of the Pittsburgh Chapter opened<br />
the program with an invocation <strong>and</strong> introduced several honored<br />
guests: Mr. Rychalski’s wife of five decades, Janine; Dr. Jan<br />
Napoleon Saykiewicz, Honorary Council of Pol<strong>and</strong> in Pennsylvania;<br />
Mr. Glenn Willard, U.S. Steel Vice President retired; Betty<br />
<strong>and</strong> Senator Albert Belan; Dr. Thaddeus Massalski, Professor at<br />
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(l. to r.) Anatol Rychalski, Janine (Lepszy) Rychalski, Pittsburgh Chapter Secretary<br />
Dr. Donald Mushalko, KF President <strong>and</strong> Excecutive Director Joseph, E.<br />
Gore, Esq., Pittsburgh Chapter President John Bartus, <strong>and</strong> Chopin Competition<br />
Winner Kimberly Kong.<br />
Carnegie Mellon University <strong>and</strong> Mr. Caleen Jabbour, Allegheny<br />
County Councilman.<br />
Dr. Donald Mushalko introduced pianist Kimberly Kong, award<br />
winner of the 2007 <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> Chopin Piano Competition. She<br />
has appeared in Carnegie Weill Recital Hall in New York City,<br />
Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. <strong>and</strong> Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh.<br />
She performed two musical selections: Etude Fantasy by Corgliano<br />
<strong>and</strong> Scherzo, C-Sharp Minor by Chopin, concluding with an<br />
encore, Campanella by Franz Liszt.<br />
Mr. Joseph Gore Esq., President of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>,<br />
New York spoke about the programs that build international<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing through fellowships, grants, <strong>and</strong> scholarships that<br />
facilitate the interchange of students <strong>and</strong> scholars, knowledge<br />
<strong>and</strong> skills. Such programs include tuition scholarships for college<br />
credit, exchange programs between Pol<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> the United<br />
States, <strong>and</strong> summer scholarships for language <strong>and</strong> cultural<br />
studies in Pol<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Rome. He noted that more information is<br />
available on-line at www.kosciuszkofoundation.org<br />
Dr. Mushalko introduced the honoree who in his own words was<br />
“not accustomed to praise” <strong>and</strong> noted as one of Rychalski’s lasting<br />
accomplishments the promotion of Polish culture <strong>and</strong> traditions<br />
both in western Pennsylvania <strong>and</strong> nationally. Dr. Mushalko<br />
also mentioned Mr. Rychalski’s credentials <strong>and</strong> philosophy <strong>and</strong><br />
noted that the honoree never forgot his Polish background.<br />
<strong>The</strong> honoree was presented with proclamations from the State of<br />
Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny <strong>and</strong> Municipality of West Mifflin<br />
proclaiming “Anatol Rychalski Day”. <strong>The</strong> program concluded<br />
with the presentation of gifts by the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>,<br />
friends <strong>and</strong> other organizations.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> is making more <strong>and</strong> more information,<br />
photos, <strong>and</strong> even audio/video productions available to its membership<br />
on the internet. If you would like to receive regular updates on <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> news <strong>and</strong> upcoming events, please send an email to<br />
development@thekf.org with your name as it appears on your membership,<br />
<strong>and</strong> we will update your record.
Western New York Chapter<br />
Honors Justice Ann Mikoll at<br />
Anniversary Celebration<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Western New York Chapter honored<br />
one of its founders, retired State Appellate Court Justice Ann<br />
Mikoll at its 20th anniversary gala this<br />
past May 2, 2008 .<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Trustee Mark<br />
Peszko, Esq. opened the ceremonies,<br />
saluting many of the luminaries from<br />
the Buffalo area who were amongst the<br />
over 200 guests in attendance at the<br />
event, <strong>and</strong> then h<strong>and</strong>ed the program<br />
to Mr. William Nowakowski, the current<br />
Western New York Chapter president.<br />
Retired New York State Appellate<br />
Court Justice <strong>and</strong> former<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
Trustee Ann T. Mikoll.<br />
Justice Mikoll, a longtime supporter <strong>and</strong><br />
trustee of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>,<br />
<strong>and</strong> founder of the Western New York<br />
Chapter, was honored with a surprise<br />
“This is your Life” type presentation,<br />
prepared by Eileen Koteras Elibol of<br />
local Buffalo TV station WNED-TV. <strong>The</strong><br />
presentation, done as a slide show, featured photographs from<br />
Justice Mikoll’s rich <strong>and</strong> varied life. <strong>The</strong> presentation appeared<br />
without warning during a slide show presented by Mr. Nowakowski<br />
on the Western New York Chapter’s several accomplishments<br />
throughout its 20 year history.<br />
Born to Polish immigrants, Justice Mikoll ended up breaking down<br />
several barriers, being the first woman elected to the New York<br />
State Supreme court (that state’s highest trial court), <strong>and</strong> then, in<br />
1977, making history as the first woman appointed to serve in the<br />
Appellate Court of New York State by then governor Hugh Carey.<br />
Alongside her rich career as an attorney <strong>and</strong> jurist, Justice Mikoll’s<br />
life has devoted much of her life to developing <strong>and</strong> supporting<br />
Polish culture in the United States. She <strong>and</strong> her husb<strong>and</strong> have<br />
led the Chopin Singing Society, a Buffalo-based choir group,<br />
<strong>The</strong> Best of Intentions....<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> enjoys the support of thous<strong>and</strong>s<br />
of members <strong>and</strong> donors who have helped us achieve our mission<br />
over the years. Despite the increasing sophistication of<br />
the computers <strong>and</strong> software which permits us to track who has<br />
generously provided how much over the years, some times we<br />
inexplicably fail to acknowledge someone’s generosity.<br />
Henryka Laskowski has been a consistent supporter of the<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> since the 1940s. Unfortunately, that<br />
generosity was not acknowledged in either the 2006 or the<br />
2007 <strong>Annual</strong> Reports. Her husb<strong>and</strong> Matthew was a longtime<br />
Trustee of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>. We apologize to Henryka<br />
for the oversight, <strong>and</strong> thank her for her annual support of<br />
$250.<br />
Likewise, the New Engl<strong>and</strong> Chapter of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong>, led by our dear friend Carolyn Topor, was omitted<br />
from the list of ad journal sponsors for our 2007 <strong>Annual</strong><br />
<strong>Dinner</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Ball</strong>. We thank the New Engl<strong>and</strong> Chapter for their<br />
generous donation of $500 during fiscal year 2007.<br />
which toured internationally. She has been involved in countless<br />
initiatives in the Western New York area, such as the staging<br />
of Szymanowski’s “King Roger” <strong>and</strong> the local opera company’s<br />
presentation of Moniuszko’s Straszny Dwor. She became Trustee<br />
of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> in 1989, retiring from the Board of<br />
Trustees in 2004. She has received numerous awards <strong>and</strong> recognitions<br />
for both her service as justice <strong>and</strong> to the local community.<br />
Since its inception, the Western New York Chapter has been<br />
instrumental several local accomplishments on behalf of Polonia<br />
in the Buffalo area, including providing seed money for the docu-<br />
(l. to r.): Janina Brutt Griffler, Polish Studies Director, University of Buffalo,<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Trustee Mark Peszko, Esq, Justice Ann T. Mikoll, Western<br />
New York Chapter President William Nowakowski, Eileen Koteras Elibol of<br />
WNED-TV, <strong>and</strong> Slawomir Jozefowicz, KF visiting scholar at University of Buffalo.<br />
mentary “Polonia”, which became a hit for its genre within WNED<br />
programming.<br />
In her remarks to the audience commenting on the founding of<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Western New York chapter, Justice<br />
Mikoll noted that she was a recipient of a <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
scholarship while attending law school.she referred to the<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> as “a jewel,” encouraging all out there to<br />
support its worthy causes.<br />
For her years of leadership <strong>and</strong> support, the Western New York<br />
chapter presented Justice Mikoll with a stunning amber necklace<br />
as a gesture of appreciation for her years of tireless support.<br />
Donations Above <strong>and</strong> Beyond<br />
Membership<br />
Support for the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> doesn’t<br />
need to stop at membership. Many members<br />
make generous unrestricted donations to the <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
over <strong>and</strong> above their membership dues.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se donations perform as important a role as<br />
membership dues, helping us maintain our New<br />
York <strong>Foundation</strong> House, <strong>and</strong> also sponsor concerts,<br />
art exhibits, <strong>and</strong> literary events in New York <strong>and</strong><br />
in regions served by our eight chapters. Cautious<br />
management by our staff assures that every cent donated<br />
is well spent. Help us help America learn more<br />
about Polish culture <strong>and</strong> traditions. Donate today!<br />
25
New Trustees<br />
continued from page 12<br />
from American International College, <strong>and</strong> a Master of Science Degree<br />
in Psychology from Catholic University. Before entering the<br />
financial services world, he coached college basketball for seven<br />
years, <strong>and</strong> worked as a social worker in his hometown of New<br />
Haven, Connecticut. Mr. Novak has a long history of involvement<br />
with Polonia <strong>and</strong> Polish culture. While a student, he attended the<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Summer Study Program. He has participated<br />
in many organizations supporting Polish culture in his<br />
hometown of New Haven, Connecticut, <strong>and</strong> currently serves on<br />
the Board of the St. Stanislaus Parish Society<br />
Christine Kuskowski<br />
continued from page 12<br />
highest award that the Ministry of Education of the Republic of<br />
Pol<strong>and</strong> can bestow on an individual for outst<strong>and</strong>ing merit in the<br />
field of education.<br />
In addition to her commitment to the TEIP Program, Christine<br />
is a member of the Polish American Teachers Association, the<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>’s Holocaust Studies Committee, the Marie<br />
Sklodowska Curie Professional Women’s Association, the Pro<br />
Arte League of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>, the National Polish<br />
American – Jewish American Council <strong>and</strong> the National Advisory<br />
Council of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>.<br />
TEIP is a four-week summer educational-cultural exchange<br />
program organized annually by the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> in<br />
cooperation with the Polish National Commission for UNESCO<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Polish Ministry of National Education. <strong>The</strong> primary goals<br />
of the program are to immerse Polish students in the English language<br />
<strong>and</strong> in American cultural experiences <strong>and</strong> to give American<br />
educators <strong>and</strong> students the opportunity to absorb Polish history,<br />
language, <strong>and</strong> culture.<br />
At the conclusion of its this summer (the program’s 18th year),<br />
the <strong>Foundation</strong>’s TEIP Program will have organized a total of 100<br />
English Language KF-UNESCO Camps served by more than<br />
1,600 American volunteers for the benefit of approximately 10,000<br />
Polish students.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> is currently recruiting American volunteers<br />
nationwide to staff four locations in Pol<strong>and</strong> for the 2008 program.<br />
Information <strong>and</strong> an application for Americans are available on the<br />
website of the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>: www.thekf.org.<br />
Like what you see? <strong>The</strong>n why not<br />
JOIN UP?<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> is a great<br />
way to learn about your Polish roots,<br />
as well as meet <strong>and</strong> mix with people who share your Polish<br />
heritage <strong>and</strong> interests. A <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> memberhip<br />
also makes a great gift for students, friends <strong>and</strong> family.<br />
To learn more, contact the Development Department at<br />
212-734-2130, or visit our website at www.thekf.org.<br />
CONTRIBUTORS —Thank You<br />
M<br />
aking gifts to the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> in memory of friends <strong>and</strong><br />
relatives is a wonderful way to truly honor them <strong>and</strong> to turn warm<br />
thoughts into vital support for the <strong>Foundation</strong>’s educational <strong>and</strong> cultural<br />
programs. <strong>The</strong> following memorial contributions were received by the<br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> between October 1, 2007 <strong>and</strong> May 31, 2008. Sincere thanks<br />
to these thoughtful donors!<br />
MRS. EDWINA ARMSTRONG<br />
Ms. Elyse Kazarinoff<br />
MR. JOZEF BANAS<br />
Ms Maria Kukulaski<br />
MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH AND MARY<br />
BERESTKA<br />
Mrs. Bernice B. Powell<br />
MR. THEODORE BRYS<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Oscar Ravina<br />
Ms. Melissa Sachs<br />
MRS. FRANK BUCZEK<br />
Mr. Edmund Uglik<br />
MR. HENRY BULAKOWSKI<br />
Polish National Alliance of Brooklyn,<br />
U.S.A.<br />
MR. JAN DENISIEWICZ<br />
Mr. Mirek Denisiewicz<br />
MR. FRANCIS J. FIGIEL<br />
Polish National Alliance of Brooklyn,<br />
U.S.A.<br />
MR. OSKAR HALECKI<br />
Professor Malgorzata Dabrowska<br />
MS. VIOLET HANNON<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Wayne <strong>and</strong> Janine<br />
Bergeron<br />
MRS. STELLA D. KOZAY<br />
Polish National Alliance of Brooklyn,<br />
U.S.A.<br />
MS. BLANCHE MACIEJOWSKI<br />
Mr. Stephen Driesler<br />
MR. CHET MAZUR<br />
Ms. Patricia Mazur<br />
MS. ELAINE McCLESKEY<br />
Miss Helen Mary M. Tyska<br />
Mrs. Mildred H. Tyszka<br />
A <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
Video Channel?<br />
DR. RYSZARD MICHALSKI<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Piotr <strong>and</strong> Barbara Boni<br />
Mr. William Cartwright<br />
Mr. Michael M. Davidson<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. James E. <strong>and</strong> Maria E.<br />
Gentle<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Walter <strong>and</strong> Ilse Kleiman<br />
Professor George L. Morgan<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. David <strong>and</strong> Janet Pelletier<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Jim <strong>and</strong> Jan Prondzinski<br />
Ms. Heather A. Wade<br />
DR. CHRIS MICHEJDA<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Michael <strong>and</strong> Christine<br />
Eissenstat<br />
MR. E. PIERCHALSKI<br />
Miss Helen Mary M. Tyszka<br />
MR. AND MRS. JOHN AND DOROTHY<br />
PLISKA<br />
Mr. Anton Pliska<br />
STANLEY JOSEPH PRYOR, ESQ.<br />
Mrs. Bertha Pryor<br />
MR. JAY RUPLE<br />
Miss Helen Mary M. Tyszka<br />
MR. STANISLAW SOBORSKI<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Barry <strong>and</strong> Carol Sheingold<br />
MRS. CECILIA STANOWSKI<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. James R. Barwick<br />
JOSEPH J. URBANCZYK<br />
Ms. Joanne Hirsch<br />
MS. SOPHIA WACHTEL<br />
Professor Anna M. Cienciala<br />
MR. JAN WROBEL<br />
Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Davor Skrabonja<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> now has an online video channel on<br />
the popular website YouTube (www.youtube.com). Visit our new<br />
channel at www.youtube.com/<br />
theKFTV, for announcements of<br />
upcoming events as well as reports<br />
on past events. <strong>The</strong> videos can be<br />
viewed for anyone who has a fast,<br />
“broadb<strong>and</strong>” connection to the internet,<br />
as well as a computer capable<br />
of playing videos onscreen (which<br />
most recently purchased computers<br />
have the ability to do). <strong>The</strong> videos will also appear on a special<br />
page on our website, <strong>and</strong> selected videos may be seen on the<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Blog. Enjoy!<br />
26 THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION
<strong>The</strong> New<br />
<strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
Dictionary<br />
Second Revised Edition<br />
For years, the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Polish<br />
English / English Polish Dictionary<br />
has been been the dictionary of choice for everyone<br />
from university students to presidents.<br />
<strong>The</strong> new addition of a CD-ROM version<br />
creates a versatile new tool for students of the<br />
Polish <strong>and</strong> English languages.<br />
To get your copy today, visit the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong> website at www.thekf.org or find<br />
us on amazon.com.<br />
Two Volume Set<br />
With CD-ROM<br />
To purchase, visit www.thekf.org<br />
Also available on<br />
THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION<br />
An American Center for Polish Culture Since 1925<br />
27
CALENDAR OF EVENTS<br />
SEPTEMBER<br />
28<br />
AWARDS DAY<br />
Reservation required<br />
OCTOBER<br />
5<br />
PULASKI DAY PARADE<br />
Members welcome to march<br />
9<br />
RAFAL OLBINSKI<br />
Opening of Exhibit <strong>and</strong> Evening with the<br />
Artist<br />
23<br />
FRIENDS OF LIBERTY<br />
Book Evening with Graham Hodges,<br />
Biographer of <strong>Kosciuszko</strong>, Jefferson, <strong>and</strong><br />
Agrippa Hull<br />
26<br />
DORIAN WIND QUINTET<br />
Chamber Music Series<br />
THE KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION<br />
An American Center for Polish Culture<br />
15 East 65th Street<br />
New York, NY 10065-6501<br />
Tel: (212) 734-2130 • Fax: (212) 628-4552<br />
email: info@thekf.org<br />
Warsaw Office<br />
Nowy Swiat 4/118<br />
00-497 Warsaw, Pol<strong>and</strong><br />
Tel/fax: +48 (22) 621-7067<br />
Witold S. Sulimirski<br />
Chairman of the Board of Trustees<br />
Dr. Michael G. Sendzimir<br />
Honorary Chairman<br />
Joseph E. Gore, Esq.<br />
President <strong>and</strong> Executive Director<br />
Dr. Thaddeus V. Gromada<br />
Vice Chairman<br />
Mr. William J. Nareski II<br />
Vice Chairman<br />
Mrs. Christine M. McMullan<br />
Vice Chairman<br />
Mrs. W<strong>and</strong>a Senko<br />
Vice Chairman<br />
NOVEMBER<br />
9<br />
PRO ARTE LEAGUE<br />
<strong>Annual</strong> Fund-Raising Luncheon<br />
3 West Club, New York, NY<br />
13-14<br />
ZBIGNIEW HERBERT<br />
CONFERENCE<br />
Marking the 10th Anniversary of the Polish<br />
Poet’s Death<br />
16<br />
PENDERECKI STRING QUARTET<br />
Chamber Music Series<br />
Rick E. Pierchalski<br />
Treasurer<br />
Miss Helen Mary M. Tyszka<br />
Corporate Secretary<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
Newsletter© is published for its<br />
members.<br />
Editor <strong>and</strong> Graphic Design:<br />
Robert Kopacz<br />
Printing:<br />
Action Graphics<br />
600 Ryerson Road<br />
Lincoln Park, NJ<br />
DECEMBER<br />
14<br />
GREGG SMITH SINGERS<br />
Chamber Music Series<br />
All events Subject to change; please call office to confirm schedule <strong>and</strong> ticket information.<br />
All events take place at the <strong>Foundation</strong> House unless otherwise noted.<br />
Visit the <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> Website at www.thekf.org.<br />
©<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>, Inc. 2007<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kosciuszko</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
15 East 65th Street<br />
New York, NY 10065<br />
Non-Profit Org.<br />
U.S. Postage<br />
PAID<br />
Permit # 79<br />
Hackensack,<br />
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